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CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHIVI/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  canadien  de  microreproductions  historlques 


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Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


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met 


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filmage. 

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par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
dernlAre  page  qui  comporte  une  ampreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration.  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  salon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  filmte  en  commen^ant  par  la 
premiere  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  dernlAre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaftra  sur  la 
dernidre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbols  —►  signifie  "A  SUIVRE".  le 
symbols  V  signifie  "FIN". 

Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc..  peuvent  Atre 
film6s  d  des  teux  de  r6duction  diffirents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  dtre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  clich6. 11  est  filmi  d  partir 
de  I'angle  sup6rieur  gauche,  de  gauche  d  droite. 
et  de  haut  en  bas.  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'Images  n^cessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  m6thode. 


1 

2 

3 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

CHARLEY  TAKES  A  BOLD  LEAP  ON  THE  - 


NOO  'OSS."        Pajre  67. 


4 


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Slf OWFLAKES  AND  SUJBEAMS ; 


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OB, 


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THE  YOUNG  FUR  TRADERS. 


A  TALE   OF  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


BT 


EGBERT   MICHAEL    BALLANTYNE, 

ACTHOB  OP  "HUDSON'S  BAT;  OB,  EVERT-DAT  LIFE  IN  THE  WI^DS  OF 

NORTH  AMERICA." 


WITH  ALtnJrfEjftioNS \isx  iBffi' 'Abrfiqi. \   \\* 


•  »*•*•*••<<•    « 


•    •  *   •  •  • 


•     ■i  t  1'      e 


•  •  t       »      • 


u^' 


BOSTON: 
PHILLIPS,    SAMPSON    AND    COMPANY. 

1859. 


BITIRSIBK,  OAMBRIDQe: 
WUNTKD  BT  H.  0.  HOOQHTON  AND  COMPANr. 


*    «    4      • 
•    •      • 

•  -J 


"         »     « v«  «     ,,  , 

■■  — '  i    '  .  i    ,    '  ,  I 


»  4         .J 


•    1    '    J 


*  <    »    «       II       ( 

•  •     •     .      »    , 

f  •    «    » 


PREFACE. 


TN  writing  this  book  my  desire  has  been  to 
-*■  draw  an  exact  copy  of  the  picture  which  is 
indelibly  stamped  on  my  own  memory.  I  have 
carefully  avoided  exaggeration  in  everything  of 
importance.  All  the  chief  and  most  of  the 
minor  incidents  are  facts.  In  regard  to  unim- 
portant matters  I  have  taken  the  liberty  of  a 
novelist,  —  not  to  color  too  highly,  or  to  invent 
improbabilities,  but  —  to  transpose  time,  place, 
and  circumstance  at  pleasure ;  while,  at  the 
same  time,  I  have  endeavored  to  convey  to  the 
reader's  mind  a  truthful  impression  of  the  geU" 
eral  effect  —  to  use  a  painter's  language  —  of 
the  life  and  country  of  the  Fur  Trader. 


33607 


I  i 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I.  ^*'* 

Plunges  the  reader  into  the  middle  of  an  arctic  winter;  conveys 
him  into  the  heart  of  the  wilderness  of  North  America;  and  in- 
troduces him  to  some  of  the  principal  personages  of  our  tale,    .      9 

CHAPTEK  11. 

The  old  fur  trader  endeavors  to  "  fix  "  his  son's  "  flint,"  and  finds 
the  thing  more  difficult  to  do  than  he  expected,         ...    19 

CHAPTER  m. 
The  counting-room, 82 

CHAPTER  IV. 

A  wolf-hunt  in  the  prairies ;  Charley  astonishes  his  father,  and 
breaks  in  the  "  noo  'oss  "  effectually, 40 

CHAPTER  V. 
Peter  Mactavish  becomes  an  amateur  doctor ;  Charley  promul- 
gates nis  views  of  things  in  general  to  Kate;  and  Kate  waxes 
sagacious, •       .       .    59 

CHAPTER  VI. 
Spring  and  the  voyageurs, 7a 

CHAPTER  VII. 
The  store,        .       .       . .80 


vi 


i  I 


I 


1 1 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  VIII  ^"^^ 

Farewell  to  Kate;  departure  of  the  brigade •  ChnrU    u 
voyagmr.     .       .        .  ""6*^°®'  ^naney  becomes  a 


•        •        . 


.       96 


T,,  CHAPTER  IX. 

The  voyage;  the  encampment;  a  surprise.  . 

V    .  ,.  CHAPTER  X. 

Vuneties,  vexations,  and  vicissitudes,  . 


•        • 


.    102 


.     121 


^,     ,  CHAPTER  XL 

^' 128 


Tne  storm, 


CHAPTER  XII. 


.     139 


T,.  ^  CHAPTER  XIII. 

lff:inTh;rord^*:^^^T^'^'  *'^^°^^^^^'  cleer-shootin,and 

,164 

T,.  ■     ^.  '  CHAPTER  XIV. 

^t^:r' '''  "^^  ^^^^-'^  <^^-^e^  -t  on  a  mission  to 

.    181 


•  • 


rr,     ,  CHAPTER   XV. 

CHAPTER  XVI. 

213 

T,.  ,  CHAPTER  XVII. 

CHAPTER  xvnr.    ' 

T,.o  walk  cominued ,  f„.e„  to«,;  an  eneampment  in  tho  ™o»-,     242 


CONTENTS.  vii 

]?»ge 
CHAPTER   XTX. 
Shows  how  the  accountant  and  Harry  set  their  traps,  and  what 
came  of  it, 256 

CHAPTER  XX. 
Tlie  accountant's  story,         ......••    268 

CHAPTER   XXI. 
Ptarmigan-hunting;  Hamilton's  shooting  powers  severly  testod ; 
a  snow-storm, 281 

CHAPTER  XXH. 
The  winter  packet;  Harry  hears  from  old  friends,  and  wishes  that 
he  was  with  .hem, 292 

CHAPTER  XXHI. 
Changes;  Hany  and  Hamilton  find  that  variety  is  indeed  charm- 
ing; the  latter  astonishes  the  former  considerably,   .        .        .    313 

CHAPTER   XXIV. 
Hopes  and  fears;  an  unexpected  meeting;  philosopnical  talk  be- 
tween the  hunter  and  the  parson, 326 

CHAPTER  XXV. 

Good  news  and  romantic  scenery ;  bear-hunting  and  its  results,      341 

CHAPTER   XXVI. 

An  unexpected  meeting,  and  an  unexpected  deer-hunt ;  arrival  at 
the  outpost;  disagreement  with  the  natives;  an  enemy  dis- 
covered, and  a  murder, 353 

CHAPTER  XXVII. 

The  chase;  the  fight;  retribution.    Low  spirits  and  good  news,      370 

CHAPTER   XXVm. 
Old  friends  and  scenes ;  coming  events  cast  their  shadows  before,  387 

CHAPTER  XXIX. 
The  first  day  at  home;  a  gallop  in  the  prairie,  and  its  consequences,  399 


:i    i 


Tiii 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  XXX.  ^**^* 

Love;  old  Mr.  Kennedy  puts  his  foot  in  it    . 

»  •        •       •       , 


409 


T,,  CHAPTER  XXXI. 

The  course  of  true  love,  curiously  enough, 
and  the  curtain  falls,  .        . 


runs  smooth  for  once; 


418 


il! 


Mi         • 


SNOWFLAKES   AND    SUNBEAMS 


FROM 


THE   FAR   NORTH 


CHAPTER  I. 


PLUXGES  THE  READER  INTO  THE  MIDDLE  OF  AN  ARCTIC  WINTER; 
CONVEYS  HIM  INTO  THE  HEART  OF  THE  WILDERNESS  OF 
NORTH  AMERICA;  AND  INTRODUCES  HIM  TO  SOME  OP  THE 
PRINCIPAL  PERSONAGES  OP  OUR  TALE. 

SNOWFLAKES  and  sunbeams,  heat  and  cold,  winter 
and  summer,  alternated  with  their  wonted  regularity 
for  fifteen  years  in  the  wild  regions  of  the  Far  North. 
During  this  space  of  time,  the  hero  of  our  tale  sprouted 
from  babyhood  to  boyhood,  passed  through  the  usual 
amount  of  accidents,  ailments,  and  vicissitudes  incidental 
to  those  periods  of  life,  and,  finally,  entered  upon  that 
ambiguous  condition  that  precedes  early  manhood. 

It  was  a  clear,  cold  winter's  day.  The  sunbeams  of 
summer  were  long  past,  and  snowflakes  had  fallen  thickly 
on  the  banks  of  Red  River.  Charley  sat  on  a  lump  of 
blue  ice,  his  head  drooping,  and  his  eyes  bent  on  the  snow 
at  his  feet,  with  an  expression  of  deep  disconsolation. 

Kate  reclined  at  Charley's  side,  looking. wistfully  up  in 
his  expressive  face,  as  if  to  read  the  thoughts  that  were 
chasing  each  other  through  his  mind,  like  the  ever- vary-  -^ 
ing  clouds  that  floated  in  the  winter  sky  above.    It  was 


V    V 


10 


1      .  II      ! 

■  I  i  i 


I 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


quite  evdent  -o  the  most  careless  observer,  that  what- 
ever m.ght  be  the  usual  tempe„.me„.s  of  the  b^  a„d 
g»l,  their  present  state  of  mind  was  not  joyous,  but  "n 
the  contrary,  very  sad.  '      '       ' 

"It  won't  do,  sister  Kate,"  said  Charley;  «IVe  tried 

treated  h.m  to  let  me  go;  but  he  won't, -and  I'm  deter 
mmed  to  run  away  ;  so  there's  an  end  of  it !  '• 

As  Charley  gave  utterance  to  this  unalterable  resolu- 

jon,  he  rose  from  the  bit  of  blue  ice,  and,  taking  Kte  by 

he  hand,  led  her  over  the  fro.cn  river,  climbed  up  the 

bajjk  on  the  opposite  side, -an  operation  of  some  diffl! 

eulty,  owmg  to  the  snow,  which  had   been   drifted   so 

deeply  dunng  a  late  storm  that  the  usual  track  was  2 

atr."rT~?''''"™'"°-"'°  ^  P'""  ""''  '»""-H 
among  the  willows,  they  speedily  disappeared. 

Charley  and  Kate  are,  and  the  part  of  the  world  in  which 

In  the  very  centre  of  the  great  continent  of  North 
Amenca,  far  removed  from  the  abodes  of  civiliL  me.^ 

elt  a"lor''  """  '^  *'"  """'  "'  ^'-^^  ^^'^"S 
French  C  7'  "T""  "'  '"'''"''  S-^^'^^men,  and 
French-Canadians,  which  is  known  by  the  name  of  Red 

Eivcr  Settlement.     Red  River  differs  from  most  co  onies 

n  more  respects  than  one  _  the  chief  differences  bZ 

hat  whereas  other  colonies  cluster  on  the  sei-coasr  hi' 

one    les  many  hundreds  of  miles  in  the  interior  o    the 

co^mtry  and  is  surrounded  by  a  wilderness;  and,  wMe 

u»  nil"""'  T"'  ""  ''^  '"""'''  ^l"'  -P-'  '"ei;  prod! 
uce  m  return  for  goods  imported,  this  of  Red  River  im- 
ports a  large  quantity  and  exnorts  nothin.  -  •-.—       T 


FROM  THE   FAR  NORTH. 


11 


ing.  Not  but  that  it  might  export,  if  it  only  had  an  outlet 
or  a  market ;  but,  being  eight  hundred  miles  removed  from 
the  sea,  and  five  hundred  miles  from  the  nearest  market* 
with  a  series  of  rivers,  lakes,  rapids,  and  cataracts  separat- 
ing from  the  one,  and  a  wide  sweep  of  treeless  prairie 
dividing  from  the  other,  the  settlers  have  long  since 
come  to  the  conclusion  that  they  were  born  to  consume 
their  own  produce,  and  so  regulate  the  extent  of  their 
farming  operations  by  the  strength  of  their  appetites. 
Of  course,  there  are  many  of  the  necessaries,  or  at  least 
the  luxuries,  of  life,  which  the  colonists  cannot  grow,  — 
such  as  tea,  coffee,  sugar,  coats,  trousers,  and  shirts ;  and 
which,  consequently,  they  procure  from  England,  by 
means  of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Fur  Company's  ships,  tvhich 
sail  once  a  year  from  Gravesend,  laden  with  supplies  for 
the  trade  carried  on  with  the  Indians.  And  the  bales 
containing  these  articles  are  conveyed  in  boats  up  the 
rivers,  carried  past  the  waterfalls  and  rapids  overland  on 
the  shoulders  of  st'»Hvart  voyageurs,  and,  finally,  landed  at 
Red  River,  after  a  rough  trip  of  many  weeks'  duration. 
The  colony  was  founded  in  1811,  by  the  Earl  of  Selkirk, 
previously  to  which  it  had  been  a  trading-post  of  the  Fur 
Company.  At  the  time  of  which  we  write,  it  contained 
about  five  thousand  souls,  and  extended  upwards  of  fifty 
miles  along  the  Red  and  Assinaboine  river:i,  which 
streams  supplied  the  settlers  with  a  variety  of  excellent 
fish.  The  banks  were  clothed  with  fine  trees ;  and  im- 
mediately behind  the  settlement  lay  the  great  prairies, 
which  extend  in  undulating  waves  —  almost  entirely 
devoid  of  shrub  or  tree  —  to  the  base  of  the  Rocky 
Mountains. 

Although  far  removed  from  the  civilized  world,  and 
containing  within  its  precincts  much  that  is  savage,  and 


■ilf 


'I  I 


12 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


very  little  that  is  refined,  Red   River  is  quite  a  popu- 
bus  paradise,  as   compared  with    the    desolate,  solita-y 
establishments  of   the   Hudson's    Bay    Fur   Company 
These  lonely  dwellings  of  the  trader  are  scattered  far  and 
wide  over  the  whole  continent  -  north,  south,  east,  and 
west.     Their  population  generally  amounts  to  eight  or  ten 
men  -  seldom  to  thirty.     They  are  planted  in  the  thick 
of  an  umnhabited  desert -their  next  neighbors  being 
from  two  to  five  hundred  miles  off-  their  occasional  vis- 
itors, bands  of  wandering  Indians  —  and  the  sole  object 
of  their  existence  being  to  trade  the  furry  hides  of  foxes 
martens,  beavers,  badgers,  bears,  buffaloes,  and  wolves    It 
will  not,  then,  be  deemed  a  matter  of  wonder,  that  the  gen- 
tlemen  who  have  charge  of  these  establishments,  and  who 
perchance,  may  have  spent  ten  or  twenty  years  in  them' 
should  look  upon  the  colony  of  Red  River  as  a  species  of 
Elysium -a  sort  of  haven  of  rest,  in  which  they  may 
lay  their  weary  heads,  and  spend  the  remainder  of  their 
days  in  peaceful  felicity,  free  from  the  cares  of  a  residence 
among  wild  beasts  and  wild  men.     Many  of  the  retiring 
traders  prefer  casting  their  lot  in  Canada;  but  not  a  few 
of  them  smoke  out  the  remainder  of  their  existence  in  this 
colony -especially  those,  who,  having  left  home  as  boys 
fifty  or  sixty  years  before,  cannot  reasonably  expect  to 
find  the  friends  of  their  childhood  where  they  left  them 
and  cannot  hope  to  remodel  tastes  and  habits  Ion-  nur-' 
tured  m  the  backwoods,  so  as  to  relish  the  manners  and 
customs  of  civilized  society. 

Such  an  one  was  old  Frank  Kennedy,  who,  sixty  years 
before  the  date  of  our  story,  ran  away  from  school  in 
Scotland;  got  a  severe  thrashing  from  his  father  for  so 
doing,  and,  having  no  mother  in  whose  sympathizing 
bosom   he  could  weep  out  his   sorrow,  ran   aw.v  f^om 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


13 


home,  went  to  sea,  ran  away  from  his  ship  while  she  lay 
at  anchor  in  the  harbor  of  New  York,  and  after  leading 
a  wandering,  unsettled  life  for  several  years,  —  during 
which  he  had  been  alternately  a  clerk,  a  day-laborer, 
a  storelceeper,  and  village  schoolmaster,  —  he  wound  up 
by  entering  the  service  of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company, 
in  which  he  obtained  an  insight  into  savage  life,  a  com- 
fortably fortune,  besides  a  half-breed  wife  and  a  large 
family. 

Being  a  man  of  great  energy  and  courage,  and,  more- 
over, possessed  of  a  large,  powerful  frame,  he  was  sent  to 
one  of  the  most  distant  posts  on  the  Mackenzie  River,  as 
being  admirably  suited  for  the  display  of  his  powers  both 
mental  and  physical.  Here  the  smallpox  broke  out 
among  the  natives  ;  and,  besides  carrying  off  hundreds  of 
these  poor  creatures,  robbed  Mr.  Kennedy  of  all  his  chil- 
dren save  two,  Charles  and  Kate,  whom  we  have  already 
introduced  to  the  reader. 

About  tiie  same  time  the  council  which  is  annually 
held  at  Red  River  in  spring,  for  the  purpose  of  arranging 
the  affairs  of  the  country  for  the  ensuing  year,  thought 
proper  to  appoint  Mr.  Kennedy  to  a  still  more  outlandish 
part  of  the  country,  —  as  near,  in  fact,  to  the  North  Pole 
as  it  was  possible  for  mortal  man  to  live,  —  and  sent  him 
an  order  to  proceed  to  his  destination  without  loss  of 
time.  On  receiving  this  communication,  Mr.  Kennedy 
upset  his  chair,  stamped  his  foot,  ground  his  teeth,  and 
vowed,  in  the  hearing  of  his  wife  and  children,  that 
sooner  than  obey  the  mandate,  he  would  see  the  governors 
and  council  of  Rupert's  Land  hanged,  quartered,  and 
boiled  down  into  tallow  !  Ebullitions  of  this  kind  were 
peculiar  to  Frank  Kennedy,  and  meant  nothing.  They 
were  simply  the  safety-valves  to  his  superabundant  ire,  — 


!■    ' 


I  I 


14 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


and,  like  safety-valves  in  general,  made  much  noise  but 
did  no  damage.  It  was  well,  however,  on  such  occasions, 
to  keep  out  of  the  old  fur  trader's  way,  for  he  had  an 
irresistible  propensity  to  hit  out  at  whatever  stood  before 
him  — especially  if  the  object  stood  on  a  level  with  his 
own  eyes  and  wore  whiskers.  On  second  thoughts,  how- 
ever, he  sat  down  before  his  writing-table,  took  a  sheet  of 
blue  ruled  foolscap  paper,  seized  a  quill  which  he  had 
mended  six  months  previously,  at  a  time  when  he  hap- 
pened to  be  in  high  good-humor,  and  wrote  as  follows :  — 

_  FoiiT  Paskisegun,  June  15,  18—. 

To  the  Governor  and  Council  of  Rupert's  Land 
lied  River  Settlement.  ' 

Gentlemen,  —  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  re- 
ceipt of  your  favor  of  26th  April  last,  appointing  me  to 
the  charge  of  Peel's  River,  and  directing  me  to  strike 
out  new  channels  of  trade  in  that  quarter.  In  reply,  I 
have  to  state  that  I  shall  have  the  honor  to  fulfil  your 
instructions  by  taking  my  departure  in  a  light  canoe 
as  soon  as  possible.  At  the  same  time  I  beg  humbly 
to  submit,  that  the  state  of  my  health  is  such  as  to  render 
it  expedient  for  me  to  retire  from  the  service,  and  I 
herewith  beg  to  hand  in  my  resignation.  I  shall  hope  to 
be  relieved  early  next  spring.  —  I  have  the  honor  to  be, 
gentlemen,  your  most  obedient  humble  servant, 

F.  Kennedy; 

«  There ! "  exclaimed  the  old  gentlemen,  in  a  tone  that 
would  lead  one  to  suppose  he  had  signed  the  death- 
warrant,  and  so  had  irrevocably  fixed  the  certain  de- 
struction of  the  entire  council —  « there ! "  said  he,  rising 
from  his  chair,  and  sticking  the  quill  into  the 'ink-bottle 
with  a  dab  that  split  it  up  to  the  feather,  and  so  rendered 
It  hors  de  combat  for  all  time  coming. 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


Ifl 


To  tills  letter  the  council  gave  a  sliort  reply,  accepting 
his  resignation,  and  appointing  a  successor.  On  "the  fol- 
lowing spring,  old  Mr.  Kennedy  embarked  his  wife  and 
children  in  a  bark  canoe,  and  in  process  of  time  landed 
them  safely  in  Red  River  Settlement.  Here  he  pur- 
chased a  house  with  six  acres  of  land,  in  which  he  planted 
a  variety  of  useful  vegetables,  and  built  a  summer-house 
after  the  fashion  of  a  conservatory,  where  he  was  wont 
to  solace  himself  for  hours  together  with  a  pipe,  or, 
rather,  with  dozens  of  pipes,  of  Canada  twist  tobacco. 

After  this  he  put  his  two  children  to  school.  The  set- 
tlement was,  at  this  time,  fortunate  in  having  a  most 
excellent  academy,  which  was  conducted  by  a  very  esti- 
mable man.  Charles  and  Kate  Kennedy,  being  obedient 
and  clever,  made  rapid  progress  under  his  judicious  man- 
agement ;  and  the  only  fault  that  he  had  to  find  with  the 
young  people  was,  that  Kate  was  a  little  too  quiet  and 
fond  of  books,  while  Charley  was  a  little  too  riotous  and 
fond  of  fun. 

When  Charles  arrived  at  the  age  of  fifteen,  and  Kate 
attained  to  fourteen  years,  old  Mr.  Kennedy  went  into 
his  conservatory,  locked  the  door,  sat  down  on  an  easy 
chair,  filled  a  long  clay  pipe  with  his  beloved  tobacco, 
smoked  vigorously  for  ten  minutes,  and  fell  fast  asleep. 
In  this  condition  he  remained  until  the  pipe  fell  from  his 
lips^  and  broke  in  fragments  on  the  floor.  He  then  rose, 
filled  another  pipe,  and  sat  down  to  meditate  on  the  sub- 
ject that  had  brought  him  to  his  smoking  apartment. 
"  There's  my  wife,"  said  he,  looking  at  the  bowl  of  his 
pipe,  as  if  he  were  addressing  himself  to  it ;  "  she's  get- 
ting too  old  to  be  looking  after  everything  herself  {puff)^ 
and  Kate's  getting  too  old  to  be  humbugging  any  longer 

with    books  :    besides,  shft  niiorht  to  bp  nt  bnmp  Ipnrninnr  to 


"t 


16 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


keep  house,  and  help  her  mother,  and  cut  the  baccy 
(pujf),  and  that  young  scamp  Charley  should  be  enter- 
ing the  service  (ptcf)  ;  he's  clever  enough  now  to  trade 
beaver  and  bears  from  the  redskins,  besides  he's  (pnf) 
a  young  rascal,  and  I'll  be  bound  does  nothing  but  lead 
the  other  boys  into  (pv^)  mischief,  -  although,  to  be 
sure,  the  master  does  say  he's  the  cleverest  fellow  in  the 
school ;  but  he  must  be  reined  up  a  bit  now.     I'll  clap 
on  a  double  curb  and  martingale.     I'll  get  him  a  situa- 
tion m  the  counting-room  at  the  fort  (piif),  where  he'll 
have  his  nose  held  tight  to  the  grindstone.     Yes,  I'll  fix 
both  their  flints  to-morrow,"  —  and  old  Mr.  Kennedy 
gave  vent  to   another  puff,  so   thick  and  long,  that  it 
seemed  as  if  all  the  previous  puffs  had  concealed  them- 
selves up  to  this  moment  within  his  capacious  ..lest,  and 
rushed  out  at  last  in  one  thick  and  long-continued  stream. 
By  « fixing  their  flints,"  Mr.  Kennedy  meant  to  ex- 
press the  fact  that  he  intended  to  place  his  children  in  an 
entirely  new  sphere  of  action ;  and,  with  a  view  to  this, 
he  ordered  out  his  horse  and  cariole *  on  the  fc'i-  . I^o- 
morning,  went  up  to  the  school,  which  was  about  ten 
miles  distant  from  his  abode,  and  brought  his  children 
home  with  him  the  same  evening.     Kate  was  now  for- 
mally  installed  as  housekeeper  and  tobacco-cutter;  while 
Charley  was  told  that  his  future  destiny  was  to  wield  the 
quill  in  the  service  of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company,  and 
that  he  might  take  a  week  to  think  over  it.     Quiet 
warm-hearted,  affectionate  Kate  was  overjoyed  at  the 
thought  of  being  a  help  and  comfort  to  her  old  father 
and  mother ;  but  reckless,  joyous,  good-humored,  hare- 
bramed  Charley  was  cast  into  the  depths  of  despair  at 
the  idea  of  spending  the  livelong  day,  and  day  after  day, 

*  A  sort  of  sleigh. 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


17 


for  years  it  mi^ht  be,  on  the  top  of  a  long-legged  stool. 
In  fact,  poor  Charley  said  that  he  "  would  rather  become 
a  butfalo  than  do  it."  Now,  this  was  very  wrong  of 
Charley,  for,  of  course,  he  didn't  mean  it.  Indeed,  it  is 
too  much  a  habit  among  little  boys,  aye,  and  among 
grown-up  people,  too,  to  say  what  they  don't  mean ;  as, 
no  doubt,  you  are  aware,  dear  reader,  if  you  possess  half 
the  self-knowledge  we  give  you  credit  for ;  and  we  can- 
not too  strongly  remonstrate  with  ourself  and  others 
against  the  practice,  —  leading,  as  it  does,  to  all  sorts  of 
absurd  exaggerations,  such  as  gravely  asserting  that  we 
are  broiling  hot,  when  we  are  simply  rather  warm,  or 
more  than  half  dead  with  fatigue,  when  we  are  merely 
very  tired.  However,  Charley  said  that  he  would  rather 
be  "  a  buffiilo  than  do  it,"  and  so  we  feel  bound  in  honor 
to  record  the  fact. 

Charley  and  Kate  were  warmly  attached  to  each  other. 
Moreover,  they  had  been,  ever  since  they  could  walk,  in 
the  habit  of  mingling  their  little  joys  and  sorrows  in  each 
other's  bosoms;  and  although,  as  years  flew  past,  they 
gradually  ceased  to  sob  in  each  other's  arms  at  every  lit- 
tle mishap,  they  did  not  cease  to  interchange  their  inmost 
thoughts,  and  to  mingle  their  tears  when  occasion  called 
them  forth.     They  knew  the  power,  the  inexpressible 
sweetness,  of  sympathy.      They  understood,  experimen- 
tally, the  comfort  and  joy  that  flow  from  obedience  to  that 
blessed  commandment,  to  "rejoice  with  those  that  do  re- 
joice, and  weep  with  those  that  weep."     It  was  natural, 
therefore,  that  on  Mr.  Kennedy  announcing  his  decrees, 
Charley  and  Kate  should  hasten  to  some  retired  spot 
where  they  could  commune  in  solitude  ;  the  effect  of 
which  communing  was,  to  reduce  them  to  a  somewhat 
calmer,  and  rather  happy  state  of  mind.     Charlev's  sor- 


•IK 


18 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


row  was  blunted  by  sympathy  witfi  Kate's  joy,  and  Kate's 
joy  wan  subdued  by  sympathy  with  Charley's  sorrow  ;  so 
that,  after  the  first  effervescing  burst,  they  settled  down 
into  a  calm  and  comfortable  state  of  flatness,  with  very 
red  eyes  and  exceedingly  pensive  minds.      We  must 
however,  do  Charley  the  justice  to  say,  that  the  red  eyes 
applied  only  to  Kate ;  for,  although  a  tear  or  two  could, 
without  much  coaxing,  be  induced  to  hop  over  his  sun- 
burnt cheek,  he  had  got  beyond  that  period  of  life  when 
boys  are  addicted  to  (we  must  give  the  word,  though  not 
pretty,  because  it  is  eminently  expressive)  blubbering. 
.  A  week  later  found  Charley  and  his  sister  seated  on 
the  lump  of  blue  ice  where  they  were  first  introduced  to 
the  reader,  and  where  Charley  announced  his  unalterable 
resolve  to  run  away ;  following  it  up  with  the  statement 
that  that  was  "  the  end  of  it."     He  was  quite  mistaken, 
however,  for  that  was  by  no  means  the  end  of  it.     In 
fact,  it  was  only  the  beginning  of  it,  as  we  shall  see  here- 
after. 


% 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


19 


CIIArTEH  IT. 

TIIK  OLD  FUIl  TUADEU  ENDEAVORS  TO  "FIX"  HIS  SONS  "FLINT," 
AND  FINDS  TU:;  TIIING  MOKE  DIFFICULT  TO  DO  THAN  HE  EX- 
PE(5TED. 

TirrEAR  liie  centre  of  the  colony  of  Red  River,  the 
J-  ^    stream  from  whidi  the  settlement  derives  its  name 
is  joined  by  another,  called  the  Assinaboine.     About  five 
or  six  hundred  yards  from  the  point  where  this  union 
takes  place,  and  on  the  banks  of  the  latter  stream,  stands 
the  Hudson's  Bay  Company's  trading  post,  Fort  Garry. 
It  is  a  massive  square  building  of  stone.     Four  high  and 
thick  walls  enclose  a  space  of  ground  on  which  are  built 
six  or  eight  wooden  houses,  some  of  which  are  used  as 
dwellings  for  the  servants  of  the   Hudson's  Bay  Com- 
pany, and  others  as  stores,  wherein  are  contained  the 
furs,  the  provisions  which  are  sent  annually  to  various 
parts  of  the  country,  and  the  goods  (such  as  cloth,  guns, 
powder  and  shot,  blankets,  twine,  axes,  knives,  &c.,  &c.) 
with  which  the  fur  trade  is  carried  on.     Although  Red 
River  is  a  peaceful  colony,  and  not  at  all  likely  to  be  as- 
saulted by  the  poor  Indians,  it  was,  nevertheless,  deemed 
prcdent  by  the  traders  to  make  some  show  of  power; 
and  so,  at  the  corners  of  the  fort,  four  round  bastions  of 
a  very  imposing  appearance  were  built,  from  the  embras- 
ures of  which  several  large,  black-muzzled  guns  pro- 
truded.    No  one  ever  conceived  the  idea  of  firing  these 
engines  of  war;  and,  indeed,  it  is  highly  probable  that 


20 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


I! 


It' 
i    li 


i 


such  an  attempt  would  have  been  attended  with  conse- 
quences much  more  dreadful  to  tliose  behind  than  to 
those  who  might  chance  to  be  in  front  of  the  guns.  Nev- 
ertheless, they  were  imposing,  and  Iiarmonized  well  with 
the  flagstaff,  which  was  the  only  other  military  symptom 
about  the  place.  This  latter  was  used  on  particular  occa- 
sions, such  as  the  arrival  or  departure  of  a  brigade  of 
boats,  for  the  purpose  of  displaying  the  folds  of  a  red 
flag,  on  which  were  the  letters  H.  B.  C. 

The  fort  stood,  as  we  have  said,  on  the  banks  of  the 
Assinaboine  river,  on  the  opposite  side  of  which  the  land 
was  somewhat  wooded,  though  not  heavily,  with  oak, 
maple,  poplar,  aspens,  and  willows,  while,  at  the  back  of 
the  fort,  the  great  prairie  rolled  out  like  a  green  sea  to 
th3  horizon,  and  far  beyond  that  again  to  the  base  of  the 
Rocky  Mountains.  The  plains  at  this  time,  however, 
were  a  sheet  of  unbroken  snow,  and  the  river  a  mass  of 
solid  ice. 

It  was  noon  on  the  day  following  that  on  which  our 
friend  Charley  had  threatened  rebellion,  when  a  tall, 
elderly  man  might  have  been  seen  standing  at  the  back 
gate  of  Fort  Garry,  gazing  wistfully  out  into  the  prairie 
m  the  direction  of  the  lower  part  of  the  settlement.  He 
was  watching  a  small  speck  which  moved  rapidly  over 
the  snow  in  the  direction  of  the  fort. 

"It's  very  like  our  friend,  Frank  Kennedy,"  said  he  to 
himself  (at  least  we  presume  so,  for  there  was  no  one 
else  within  earshot,  to  whom  he  could  have  said  it,  ex- 
cept the  door-post,  which,  every  one  knows,  is  proverbi- 
ally a  deaf  subject).  "  No  man  in  the  settlement  drives 
so  furiously.  I  shouldn't  wonder  if  he  ran  against  the 
corner  of  the  new  fence  now.     Ha!  just  so,  — there 


goes 


he 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


21 


ks  of  the 
the  laud 
»'ith  oak, 
back  of 
3n  sea  to 
5e  of  the 
liowever, 
mass  of 

lich  our 
I  a  tall, 
the  back 
prairie 
nt.  He 
II7  over 

id  he  to 
no  one 
i  it,  ex- 
'overbi- 
;  drives 
nst  the 


And,  truly,  the  reckless  driver  did  "  go "  just  at  that 
moment.  He  came  up  to  the  corner  of  the  new  fence, 
where  the  road  took  a  rather  abrupt  turn,  in  a  style  that 
insured  a  capsize.  In  another  second,  the  spirited  horse 
turned  sharp  round,  the  sleigh  turned  sharp  over,  and  the 
occupant  was  pitched  out  at  full  length,  while  a  black 
object  that  might  have  been  mistnkon  for  his  hat,  rose 
from  his  side  like  a  rocket,  and  flying  over  him,  landed 
on  the  snow  several  yards  beyond.  A  faint  shout  was 
heard  to  float  on  the  breeze  as  this  catastrophe  occurred, 
and  the  driver  was  seen  to  jump  up  and  readjust  himself 
in  the  cariole  ;  while  the  other  black  object  proved  itself 
not  to  be  a  hat,  by  getting  hastily  up  on  a  pair  of  legs, 
and  scrambling  back  to  the  seat  from  which  it  had  been 
so  unceremoniously  ejected. 

In  a  few  minutes  more  the  cheerful  tinkling  of  the 
merry  sleigh-bells  was  heard,  and  Frank  Kennedy,  ac- 
companied by  his  hopeful  son  Ciiarles,  dashed  up  to  the 
gate,  and  pulled  up  with  a  jerk. 

"  Ha !  Grant,  my  fine  fellow,  how  are  you  ?  "  exclaimed 
Mr.  Kennedy,  senior,  as  he  disengaged  himself  from  the 
heavy  folds  of  the  buflftilo  robe,  and  shook  the  snow 
from  his  greatcoat.  "  Why  on  earth,  man,  don't  you 
put  up  a  sign-post  and  a  board  to  warn  travellers  that 
you've  been  running  out  new  fences  and  changing  the 
road,  eh  ?  " 

"  Why,  ray  good  friend,"  said  Mr.  Grant,  smiling,  "the 
fence  and  the  road  are  of  themselves  pretty  conclusive 
proof  to  most  men  that  the  road  is  changed  ;  and  besides, 
we  don't  often  have  people  driving  round  corners  at  full 
gallop  ;  but " 

"  Hallo !  Charley,  you  rascal,"  interrupted  Mr.  Ken- 
nedy—"here,  take  the  mare  to  the  stable,  and  don't 


22 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


drive  her  too  fast.     Mind,  now,  no  going  off  upon  the 
wrong  road  for  the  sake  of  a  drive,  you  understand." 

"  All  right,  father,"  exclaimed  the  boy,  while  a  bright 
smile  lit  up  his  features  and  displayed  two  rows  of  white 
teeth  —  « I'll  be  particularly  careful ;"  and  he  sprang  into 
the  light  vehicle,  seized  the  rein.,  and  with  a  sharp  crack 
of  the  whip  dashed  down  the  road  at  a  hard  gallop. 

"  He's  a  fine  fellow  that  son  of  yours,"  said  Mr.  Grant 
"  and  will  make  a  first  rate  fur  trader."  ' 

"  Fur  trader  ! "  exclaimed  Mr.  Kennedy  —  "just  look 
at  him !  I'll  be  shot  if  he  isn't  thrashing  the  mare  as  if 
she  were  made  of  leather."  The  old  man's  ire  was  rising, 
rapidly  as  he  heard  the  whip  crack  every  now  and  then° 
and  saw  the  mare  bound  madly  over  the  snow. 

"  And  see ! "  he  continued,  "  I  declare  he  hm  taken  the 
wrong  turn  after  all." 

"True,"  said  Mr.  Grant;  "he'll  never  reach  the  stable 
by  that  road  —  he's  much  more  likely  to  visit  the  White- 
horse  Plains.  But  come,  friend,  it's  of  no  use  fretting. 
Charley  will  soon  tire  of  his  ride,  so  come  with  me  to  my 
room  and  have  a  pipe  before  dinner." 

Old  Mr.  Kennedy  gave  a  short  groan  of  despair,  shook 
his  fist  at  the  form  of  his  retreating  son,  and  accompa- 
nied  the  friend  to  his  house. 

It  must  not  be  supposed  that  Frank  Kennedy  was 
very  deeply  offended  with  his  son,  although  he  did  shower 
on  him  a  considerable  amount  of  abuse.     On  the  con- 
trary, he  loved  him  very  much.   But  it  was  the  old  man's 
nature  to  give  way  to  little  bursts  of  passion  on  almost 
every  occasion  in  which  his  feelings  were  at  all  excited. 
Ihese  bursts,  however,  were   like  the  little  puffs  that 
ripple  the  surface  of  the  sea  on  a  calm  summpr'«  cU.r 
They  wei-e  over  in  a  second,  and  left  his  good-humored, 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


ds 


rough,  candid  countenance  in  unruffled  serenity.  Charley 
knew  this  well,  and  loved  his  father  tenderly,  so  that  his 
conscience  frequently  smote  him  for  raising  his  anger  so 
often  ;  and  he  over  and  over  again  promised  his  sister 
Kate  to  do  his  best  to  refrain  from  doing  anything  that 
was  likely  to  annoy  the  old  man  in  future.  But  alas  ! 
Charley's  resolves,  like  those  of  many  other  boys,  were 
soon  forgotten,  and  his  father's  e(j[uanimity  was  upset 
generally  two  or  three  times  a  day ;  but  after  the  gust 
was  over,  the  fur  trader  would  kiss  his  son,  call  him  a 
"  rascal,"  and  send  him  off  to  fill  and  fetch  his  pipe. 

Mr.  Grant,  who  was  in  charge  of  Fort  Garry,  led  the 
way  to  his  smoking  apartment,  where  the  two  were  soon 
seated  in  front  of  a  roaring  log-fire,  emulating  each  other 
in  the  manufacture  of  smoke. 

"  Well,  Kennedy,"  said  Mr.  Grant,  throwing  himself 
back  in  his  chair,  elevating  his  chin,  and  emitting  a  long, 
thin  stream  of  white  vapor  from  his  lips,  through  which 
he  gazed  at  his  friend  complacently.  "  Well,  Kennedy,  to 
what  fortunate  chance  am  I  indebted  for  this  visit  ?  It 
is  not  often  that  we  have  the  pleasure  of  seeing  you 
here." 

Mr.  Kennedy  created  two  large  volumes  of  smoke, 
which,  by  means  of  a  vigorous  puff,  he  sent  rolling  over 
towards  his  friend,  and  said,  "  Charley." 

"And  what  of  Charley?"  said  Mr.  Grant,  with  a 
smile,  for  he  was  well  aware  of  the  boy's  propensity  to 
fun,  and  of  the  father's  desire  to  curb  it. 

"  The  fact  is,"  replied  Kennedy,  "  that  Charley  must 
be  broke.  He's  the  wildest  colt  I  ever  had  to  tame,  but 
I'll  do  it  —  I  will  —  that's  a  fact." 

If  Charley's  subjugation  had  depended  on  the  rapidity 
with  which  the  little  white  clouds  proceeded  from  his 


n 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


feet     in  a  very  short  time,  for  they  rushed  from  him 
with  the  volenee  of  a  high  wind.     Long  habit  had  mad" 
the  old  trader  and  his  pipe  not  only  inseparable  eompa„ 
ions,  but  part  and  parcel  of  each  other -so  intiltelv 
connected  that  a  change  in  the  one.  was  sure  t    pr!d„t 
a  sympathetic  change  in  the  other.    In  the  present  in 
stance,  the  little  clouds  rapidly  increased  in    Le  a'd 
number  as  the  old  gentleman  thought  on  the  obstinacy  of 

"Yes,"  he  continued,  after  a  moment's  silence,  " I've 

a:::t,To  h"^ptv" '«»«■>'- -^  ^ -'.-.  Mr. 

Mr  Grant  looked  as  if  he  would  rather  not  undertake 
to  lend  h,s  a.d  in  a  work  that  was  evidently  ditficuU,  but 
bemg  a  good-natured  man,  he  said,  "And  how,  ft  end' 
can  I  assist  in  the  operation  ?  »  ' 

;;  "^«"'  yo"  «««.  Charley's  a  good  fellow  at  bottom,  and 
a  clever  fellow  too,  -  at  least  so  says  the  schoolmaster  - 
though  I  must  confess,  that  so  far  as  my  experience  Is 
he  s  only  clever  at  finding  out  excuses  for  not  doing  w  at' 
I  want  h,m  to     B„t  still,  I'm  told  he's  clever,  and  «.„ 
«se  h,s  pen  well ;  and  I  know  for  certain  that  h^  can  Z 
h.«  tongue  well.     So  I  want  to  get  him  into  th   service 
and  have  h,m  placed  in  a  situation  where  he  shall  hTe' 
to  st.ck  0  h,s  desk  all  day.     I„  fact,  I  want  to  have  hTm 
broken  m  to  work;  for  you've  no  notion,  sir,  how  tha" 
boy  talks  about  bears  and  buffaloes  and  badge  s,  and  I  e 
in  the  woods  among  the  Indians.    I  do  believe,"  contt^ 
ued  the  old  gentleman,  waxing  warm,  "that  he  wou"d 
wiUmgly  go  ,nto  the  woods  to-morrow,  if  I  would  let  h.m 
and  never  show  his  nose  in  the  settlement  a^ain.     T,^ 
quite  incorrigible.     But  I'll  tame  him  yet ;  I  will  i " ' ' 


FROM  THE  FAR   NORTH. 


25 


Mr.  Kennedy  followed  tliis  up  with  an  indignant  grunt, 
and  a  pufF  of  smokej  so  thick,  and  propelled  with  such 
vigor,  that  it  rolled  and  curled  in  fantastic  evolutions 
towards  the  ceiling,  as  if  it  were  unable  to  control  itself 
with  delight  at  the  absolute  certainty  of  Charley  being 
tamed  at  last. 

Mr.  Grant,  however,  shook  his  head,  and  remained  for 
five  minutes  in  profound  silence,  during  which  time  the 
two  friends  puffed  in  concert,  until  they  began  to  grow 
quite  indistinct  and  ghostlike  in  the  thick  atmosphere. 

At  last  he  broke  silence. 

"  My  opinion  is,  that  you're  wrong,  Mr.  Kennedy.  No 
doubt,  you  know  the  disposition  of  your  son  better  than  I 
do ;  but  even  judging  of  it  from  what  you  have  said,  I'm 
quite  sure  that  a  sedentary  life  will  ruin  him." 

"Kuin  him!  Humbug!"  said  Kennedy,  who  never 
failed  to  express  his  opinion  at  the  shortest  notice,  and 
in  the  plainest  language,  —  a  fact  so  well  known  by  his 
friends,  that  they  had  got  into  the  habit  of  taking  no 
notice  of  it.  "  Humbug  ! "  he  repeated,  "  perfect  hum- 
bug !  You  don't  mean  to  tell  me,  that  the  way  to  break 
him  in,  is  to  let  him  run  loose  and  wild  whenever  and 
wherever  he  pleases  ? " 

"  By  no  means.  But  you  may  rest  assured  that  tying 
him  down  won't  do  it." 

"  Nonsense !  "  said  Mr.  Kennedy,  testily ;  «  don't  tell 
me.  Have  I  not  broken  in  young  colts  by  the  score  ? 
and  don't  I  know  that  the  way  to  fix  their  flints  is  to  clap 
on  a  good  strong  curb  ?  " 

"  If  you  had  travelled  farther  south,  friend,"  replied 
Mr.  Grant,  "  you  would  have  seen  the  Spaniards  of  Mex- 
ico break  in  their  wild  horses  in  a  very  different  way  j 
for,  afler  catching  one  with  the  lasso,  a  fellow  gets  on  his 


26 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


!;   I 


•  ! 

I 
I 


I   H 


III!  .1 


III 


back,  and  gives  it  the  rein  and  the  whip,  —  aye,  and  the 
spur,  too  ;  and  before  that  race  is  over,  there  is  no  need 
for  a  curb." 

«  What ! "  e:  claimed  Kennedy,  «  and  do  you  mean  to 
argue  from  that,  that  I  should  let  Charley  run  — and 
help  him  too  ?  Send  him  off  to  the  woods  with  gun  and 
blanket,  canoe  and  tent,  all  complete  ?  "  The  old  gentle- 
man puffed  a  furious  puff,  and  broke  into  a  loud  sar- 
castic laugh. 

"  No,  no,"  interrupted  Mr.  Grant ;  « I  don't  exactly 
mean  that ;  but  I  think  that  you  might  give  him  his 
way  for  a  year  or  so.  He's  a  fine,  active,  generous  fellow ; 
and  after  the  novelty  wore  off,  he  would  be  in  a  much 
better  frame  of  mind  to  listen  to  your  proposals.  Besides," 
(and  Mr.  Grant  smiled  expressively,)  «  Charley  is  some- 
what like  his  father.  He  has  got  a  will  of  his  own ;  and 
if  you  do  not  give  him  his  way,  I  very  much  fear  that 
he'll " 

"  What  ?  "  inquired  Mr.  Kennedy,  abruptly. 

"  Take  it,"  said  Mr.  Grant. 

The  puff  that  burst  from  Mr.  Kennedy's  lips,  on  hear- 
ing this,  would  have  done  credit  to  a  thirty-six  pounder. 

"  Take  it !  "  said  he.     «  He'd  better  not." 

The  latter  part  of  this  speech  was  not,  in  itself,  of  a 
nature  calculated  to  convey  much;  but  the  tone  of  the 
old  trader's  voice,  the  contraction  of  his  eyebrows,  and, 
above  all,  the  overwhelming  flow  of  cloudlets  that  fol- 
lowed, imparieJ  to  it  a  significance  that  induced  the  belief 
that  Charley's  taking  his  own  way  would  be  productive  of 
more  terrific  consequences  than  it  was  in  the  power  of  the 
most  highly  imaginative  man  to  conceive. 

« There's   his    sister    Kate,  now,"   continued  the  old 
gentleman ;  «  she's  as  gentle  and  biddable  as  a  lamb.  I've 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


27 


only  to  say  a  word,  and  she's  off  like  a  shot  to  do  my 
bidding ;  and  slie  does  it  with  such  a  sweet  smile  too." 
There  was  a  touch  of  pathos  in  the  old  trader's  voice  as 
he  said  this.  He  was  a  man  of  strong  feeling,  and  as  im- 
pulsive in  his  tenderness  as  in  his  wrath.  "  But  that 
rascal,  Charley,"  he  continued,  "  is  quite  different.  He's 
obstinate  as  a  mule.  To  be  sure,  he  has  a  good  temper ; 
and  I  must  say  for  him  he  never  goes  into  the  sulks, 
which  is  a  comfort ;  for,  of  all  things  in  the  world,  sulking 
is  the  most  childish  and  contemptible,  He  generally  does 
what  I  bid  him,  too.  But  he's  always  getting  into  scrapes 
of  one  kind  or  other.  And  during  the  last  week,  not- 
withstanding all  I  can  say  to  him,  he  won't  admit  that 
the  best  thing  for  him  is  to  get  a  place  in  your  count- 
ing room,  with  the  prospect  of  rapid  promotion  in  the 
service.  Very  odd.  I  can't  understand  it  at  all ; "  and 
Mr.  Kennedy  heaved  a  deep  sigh. 

"  Did  you  ever  explain  to  him  the  prospects  that  he 
would  have  in  the  situation  you  propose  for  him  ? " 
inquired  Mr.  Grant. 

"  Can't  say  I  ever  did." 

"  Did  you  ever  point  out  the  probable  end  of  a  life 
spent  in  the  woods  ?  " 

"No."   . 

"Nor  suggest  to  him  that  the  appointment  to  the  office 
here  would  only  be  temporary,  and  to  see  how  he  got 
on  in  it  ?  " 

"  Certainly  not." 

"  Then,  my  dear  sir,  I'm  not  surprised  that  Charley 
rebels.  You  have  left  him  to  suppose  that,  once  placed 
at  the  desk  here,  he  is  a  prisoner  for  life.  But  see,  there 
he  i^s,"  said  Mr.  Grant,  pointing,  as  he  sp  )kc,  towards  the 
subject  of  their  conversation,  who  was  passing  the  window 


98 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


at  the  moment ;  "let  me  call   him,  and  I  feel  certain  that 
he  will  listen  to  reason  in  a  few  minutes  " 

"  Humph  ! "  ejaculated  Mr.  Kennedy,  "  you  may  try." 
In  another  minute  Charley  had  been  summoned,  and 
was  seated,  cap  in  hand,  near  the  door. 

"  Charley,  my  boy,"  began  Mr.  Grant,  standing  with 
iHs  back  to  the  lire,  his  feet  pretty  wide  apart,  Tnd  his 
coat-tails    under   his  arms, -"  Charley,  my    boy,  your 
father  has  just  been  speaking  of  you.     He  is  very  anx- 
ious that  you  should  enter  the  service  of  the  Hudson's 
Bay  Company;  and  as  you  are  a  clever  boy  and  a  ^ood 
penman,  we  think  that  you  would  be  likely  to  get  on  if 
placed  for  a  year  or  so  in  our  office  here.     I  need  scarcely 
pomt  out  to  you,  my  boy,  that  in  such  a  position  you 
would  be  sure  to  obtain  more  rapid  promotion,  than  if 
you  were  placed  in  one   of  the  distant  outposts,  where 
you  would  have  very  little  to  do,  and  perhaps  little  to 
eat,  and   no  one  to  converse  with,  except  one    or  two 
men.     Of  course,  we  would  merely  place  you  here  on 
trial  to  see  how  you  suited  us  ;  and  if  you  prove  steady 
and   diligent,  there  is  no    saying    how  fast   you    might 
get  on.     Why,  you  might  even  come  to  fill   my   place 
m   course  of  time!     Come    now,  Charley,  what   think 
you  of  It .'' " 

Charley's  eyes  had  been  cast  on  the  ground  while  Mr 
Grant  was  speaking.  He  now  raised  them,  looked  at  his 
Jather,  then  at  his  interrogator,  and  said,  — 

"  It  is  very  kind  of  you  both  to  be  so  anxious  about 
my  prospects.  I  thank  you,  indeed,  very  much ;  but 
1  —  a " 

"Don't  hke  the  desk?"  said  his  father,  in  an  angry 
tone.     « Is  that  it,  eh  ?  " 

Charley  made  no  reply,  but  cast  down  his  eyes  again 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


29 


and  smiled,  (Charley  had  a  sweet  smile,  a  peculiarly 
sweet,  candid  smile,)  as  if  he  meant  to  say  that  his  father 
liad  hit  the  nail  quite  on  the  top  of  tlie  head  that  time, 
and  no  mistake. 

"  But  consider,"  resumed  Mr.  Grant,  '*  although  you 
might  probably  be  pleased  with  an  outpost  life  at  first, 
you  would  be  sure  to  grow  weary  of  it  after  the  novelty 
wore  off,  and  then  you  would  wish  with  all  your  heart  to 
be  back  here  again.     Believe  me,  child,  a  trader's  life  is 

a  veiy  hard  and  not  often  a  very  satisfactory  one " 

"Aye,"  broke  in  the  father,  desirous,  if  possible,  to 
help  the  argument,  "and  you'll  find  it  a  desperately 
wild,  unsettled,  roving  sort  of  life,  too,  let  me  tell  you  ! 

full  of  dangers  both  from  wild  beasts  and  wild  men " 

"  Hush,"  interrupted  Mr.  Grant,  observing  that  the 
boy's  eye  kindled  when  his  father  spoke  of  a  wild,  roving 
life,  and  wild  beasts,  "  your  father  does  not  mean  that 
life  at  an  outpost  is  wild,  and  interesting^  or  exciting.    He 

merely  means  that  —  a  —  it " 

Mr.  Grant  could  not  very  well  explain  what  it  was 
that  Mr.  Kennedy  meant,  if  Tie  did  not  mean  that,  so  he 
turned  to  him  for  help. 

"1  '''"  said  that  gentleman,  taking  a  strong 

pull  at  ...  for  '"nsiiration.     "  It's  no  ways  interest- 

ing or  exci         a  all.     It's  slow,  dull,  and  flat.    A  miser- 
able sort  of  Robinson  Crusoe  life,  with  red  Indians  and 

starvation  constantly  staring  you  in  the  face " 

"Besides,"  said  Mr.  Grant,  again  interrupting  the 
somewhat  unfortunate  efforts  of  his  friend,  who  seemed 
to  have  a  happy  facility  in  sending  a  brilliant  dash  of 
romantic  allusion  across  the  dark  side  of  his  picture,  -- 
"besides,  you'll  not  have  opportunity  to  am.use  your- 
self, or  to  read,  as  you'll  have  no  books,  and  you'll  have 


iiiii  I 


iiliL,,,, 


I     I 


ill 


I 


II  ii 


I'll! 
lull 


llill! 
I: 


IL 


!  i 


80 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


to  work   hard  with  your  hands   oftenXiraes,   like  your 
men " 

"  In  fact,"  broke  in  the  impatient  fatlier,  resolved,  ap- 
parently, to  carry  the  point  with  a  grand  "  coup  " « In 

fact,  you'll  have  to  rough  it,  as  I  did,  when  I  went  up 
the  Mackenzie  River  district,  where  I  was  sent  to  estab- 
lish a  new  post,  and  had  to  travel  for  weeks  and  weeks 
through  a  wild  country,  where  none  of  us  had  ever  been 
before  —  where  we  shot  our  own  meat,  caught  our  own 
fish,  and  built  our  own  house  — and  were  very  near 
being  murdered  by  the   Indians  —  though,  to  be  sure, 
afterwards   they  became  the   most  civil  fellows   in  the 
country,  and  brought  us  plenty  of  skins.     Ay,  lad,  you'll 
repent  of  your  obstinacy  when  you  come  to  have  to  hunt 
your  own  dinner,  as  I've  done  many  a  day  up  the  Sas- 
katchewan, where  I've  had  to  fight  with  red-skins  and 
grizzly  bears,  and  to  chase  the  buffaloes  over  miles  and 
miles  of  prairie  on  rough-going  nags  till  my  bones  ached 

Qnd  I  scarce  knew  whether  I  sat  on " 

"  Oh  !  "  exclaimed  Charley  —  starting  to  his  ^eai,  while 
his  eyes  flashed  and  his  chest  heaved  with  emotion  — 
"  that's  the  place  for  me,  father  !  Do,  please,  Mr.  Grant, 
send  me  there,  and  I'll  work  for  you  with  all  my 
might!"  ^ 

Frank  Kennedy  was  not  a  man  to  stand  this  unexpect- 
ed miscarriage  of  his  eloquence  with  equanimity.  His 
first  action  was  to  throw  his  pipe  at  the  head  of  his  enthu- 
siastic  boy,  without  worse  effect,  however,  than  smashing 
It  to  atoms  on  the  opposite  wall.  He  then  started  up 
and  rushed  towards  his  son,  who,  being  near  the  door, 
retreated  precipitately  and  vanished. 

"So,"  said  Mr.  Grant,  not  very  sure  whether  to  laugh 


■It 

4 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTE. 


81 


like 


your 


lolved,  ap- 
»"  — "In 
'  went  up 
b  to  estab- 
md  weeks 
ever  been 
;  our  own 
'ery  near 
be  sure, 
s   in  the 
ad,  you'll 
e  to  hunt 
the  Sas- 
kins  and 
liles  and 
es  ached 

;et,  while 

notion  — 

I*.  Grant, 

all  my 


or  be  angry  at  the  result  of  their  united  cflforts,  "  you've 
settled  the  question  now,  at  all  events." 

Frank  Kennedy  said  nothing,  but  filled  another  pipe, 
sat  doggedly  down  in  front  of  the  fire,  and  speedily  en- 
veloped himself,  ana  his  friend,  and  all  that  the  room 
contained,  in  thick  impenetrable  clouds  of  smoke. 

Meanwhile  his  worthy  son  rushed  off  in  a  state  of  great 
glee.  He  had  often  heard  the  voyageurs  of  Red  River 
dilate  on  the  delights  of  roughing  it  in  the  woods,  and 
his  heart  had  bounded  as  they  sf '^  ke  of  dangers  encoun- 
tered and  overcome  among  the  rapids  of  the  Far  North, 
or  with  the  bears  and  bison-bulls  of  the  prairie,  but  never 
till  now  had  he  heard  his  father  corroborate  their  testi- 
mony by  a  recital  of  his  own  actual  experience ;  and 
although  the  old  gentleman's  intention  was  undoubtedly 
to  damp  the  boy's  spirit,  his  eloquence  had  exactly  the 
opposite  efiect,  —  so  that  it  was  with  a  hop  and  a  shout 
that  he  burst  into  the  counting-room,  with  the  occupants 
of  which  Charley  was  a  special  favorite. 


nexpect- 
y.  His 
s  enthu- 
mashing 
irted  up 
le  door. 


to  laugh 


»li:i|ji| 

":!| 


32 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEA5IS 


CHAPTER  III. 

THE    COUNTINO-ROOM. 

■pVERY   one   knows   the   general   appearance   of  a 
fi  co"nting-room.      There   are   one   or   two   peculiar 
features  about  such  apartments  that  are  quite  unmistak- 
able  and  very  eharaeteristic ;  and  the  counting-room  at 
*ort  Garry,  although  many  hundred  miles  distant  from 
other  specimens  of  its  race,  and,  from  the  peculiar  cir- 
<;umstances  of  its   position,  not  therefore  likely  to  bear 
them  much  resemblance,  possessed  one  or  two  features 
of  similarity,  in  the  shape  of  two  large  desks  and  several 
very  tall  stools,  besides  sundry  ink-bottles,  rulers,  books, 
and  sheets  of  blotting-paper.     But  there  were  other  im- 
plements there,  savoring  strongly  of  the  backwoods  and 
«ayage  life,  which  merit  more  particular  notice. 

The  room  itself  was  small,  and  lighted  by  two  little 
windows,  which  opened  into  the  court-yard.     The  entire 
apartment  was  made  of  wood.     The  floor  was  of  un- 
pamted  fir  boards.    The  walls  were  of  the  same  material, 
painted  blue  from  the  floor  upwards  to  about  three  feet, 
where  the  blue  was  unceremoniously  stopped  short  by  a 
otripe  of  bright  red,  above  which  the  somewhat  fanciful 
decorator  had  laid  on  a  coat  of  pale  yellow;  and  the  ceil- 
ing, by  way  of  variety,  was  of  a  deep  ochre.     As  the 
occupants  of  Red  River  office  were,  however,  addicted  to 
the  use  of  tobacco  and  tallow  candles,  the  original  color 


/b 


BOM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


BS 


anco   of  a 
0   peculiar 
unmistak- 
g-room  at 
^tant  from 
ouliar  cir- 
ly  to  bear 
0  features 
id  several 
rs,  books, 
other  im- 
oods  and 

two  little 
he  entire 
s  of  un- 
material, 
hree  feet, 
ort  by  a 
fanciful 
the  ceil- 
As  the 
dieted  to 
lal  color 


of  ilie  ceiling  had  vanished  entirely,  and  that  of  the  walls 
had  considerably  chang«Hl. 

There  were  three  doors  in  the  room  (besides  the  door 
of  entrance),  each  opening  into  another  apartment,  where 
the  three  clerks  were  wont  to  court  the  favor  of  iMorpheus 
after  the  labors  of  the  day.     No  carpets  graced  the  floors 
of  any  of  these  rooms,  and,  with  the  exception  of  the 
paint  aforementioned,  no  oniarn«'nt   whatever  broke  the 
pleasing  unifbrmity  of  the  scene.    This  was  compensated, 
however,  to  some  extent,  by  several  scarlet  sashes,  bri«dit- 
colorcd  shot-belts,  and  gay  portions  of  winter  costume 
peculiar  to  the  country,  which  depended  from  sundry 
nails  in  the  bedroom  walls  ;  and,  as  the  three  doors  always, 
stood  open,  these  objects,  together  with  one  or  two  fowl- 
ing pieces  and  canoe-paddles,  formed  quite  a  brilliant  and! 
highly  suggestive  background  to  the  otherwise  sombre 
picture.     A  large  open  fireplace  stood  in  one  corner  of 
the  room,  devoid  of  a  grate,  and  so  constructed  that  large 
logs  of  wood  might  be  piled  up  on  end  to  any  extent. 
And  really  the  fires  made  in  this  manner,  and  in  this  in- 
dividual fireplace,  were  exquisite  beyond  description.     A 
wood  fire  is  a  particularly  cheerful  thing.     Those  wha 
have  never  seen  one  can  form  but  a  faint  idea  of  its. 
splendor;  especially  on  a  sharp  winter  night  in  the  arctic- 
regions,  where  the  thermometer  falls  to  forty  degrees  be- 
low zero,  without  inducing  the  inhabitants  to  suppose  that 
the  world  has  reached  its  conclusion.     The  billets  are 
usually  piled  up  on  end,  so  that  the  flames  rise  and  twine 
round  them  with  a  fierce  intensity  that  causes  them  to 
crack  and  sputter  cheerfully,  sending  innumerable  sparks 
of  fire  mto  the  room,  and  throwing  out  a  rich  glow  of 
brilliant  light  that  warms  a  man  even  to  look  at  it,  and 
"" •-  vt^'i'-iivo  quiiu  uuiiecessary. 


m 


34 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


'    :l!l  I 


ii 

iii'i 
jl 

Ml 


'■'    '|!^ 


iii:^' 


The  clerks  who  inhabited  this  counting-room  were,  like 
itself,  peculiar.  There  were  three  —  corresponding  to  the 
bedrooms.  Thf  senior  was  a  tall,  broad-shouldered,  mus- 
cular man  — a  Scotchman  — very  good-humored,  yet  a 
man  whose  under  lip  met  the  upper  with  that  peculiar 
degree  of  precision  that  indicated  the  presence  of  otiier 
qualities  besides  that  of  good-humor.  He  was  book- 
^  keeper  and  accountant,  and  managed  the  affairs  intrusted 
to  his  care  with  the  same  dogged  perseverance  with  which 
he  would  have  led  an  expedition  of  discovery  to  the 
North  Pole.     He  was  thirty  or  thereabouts. 

The  second  was  a  small  man  — also  a  Scotchman.     It 
is  curious  to  note  how  numerous  Scotchmen  are  in  the 
wilds  of  North  America.     This  specimen  was  diminutive 
and  sharp.     Moreover  he  played  the  flute,  —  an  accom- 
plishment of  which  he  was  so  proud,  that  he  ordered  out 
from  England  a  flute  of  ebony,  so  elaborately  enriched 
with  silver  keys  that  one's  fingers  ached  to  behold  it. 
This  beautiful  instrument,  like  most  other  instruments  of 
a  delicate  nature,  found  the  climate  too  much  for  its  con- 
stitution, and,  soon  after  the  winter  began,  split  from  top 
to  bottom.     Peter  Mactavish,  however,  was  a  genius  by 
nature,  and  a  mechanical  genius  by  tendency  ;  so  that, 
instead  of  giving  way  to  despair,  he  laboriously  bound 
the  flute  together  with  waxed  thread,  which,  although  it 
could  not  restore  it  to  its  pristine  elegance,  enabled  him 
to  play  with  great  effect  sundry  doleful  airs,  whose  influ- 
ence, when  performed  at  night,  usually  sent  his  compan- 
ions to  sleep,  or,  failing  this,  drove  them  to  distraction. 

The  third  inhabitant  of  the  oflice  was  a  ruddy,  smooth- 
chinned  youth  of  about  fourteen,  who  had  left  home  seven 
months  before,  in  the  hope  of  gratifying  a  desire  to  lead 
a  wild  life,  which  he  had  entertained  ever  since  he  read 


I 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


tn  were,  like 
iding  to  the 
(lered,  nius- 
)red,  yet  a 
at  peculiar 
ce  of  otiier 
was  book- 
s  intrusted 
with  which 
317  to  the 

shman.     It 
are  in  the 
diminutive 
an  accom- 
rdered  out 
y  enriched 
behold  it. 
'uments  of 
or  its  con- 
t  from  top 
genius  by 
;  so  that, 
sly  bound 
though  it 
ibled  him 
ose  influ- 

compan- 
action. 
,  smooth- 
me  seven 
e  to  lead 

he  read 


35 


"  Jack  the  Giant  Killer,"  and  found  himself  most  unex- 
pectedly fjxstened,  during  the  greater  part  of  each  day, 
to  a  stool.  His  name  was  Harry  Somerville,  and  a  fine 
cheerful  little  fellow  he  was,— full  of  spirits,  and  curi- 
ously addicted  to  poking  and  arranging  the  fire,  at  least 
every  ten  minutes  — a  propensity  which  tested  the  for- 
bearance of  the  senior  clerk  rather  severely,  and  would 
have  surpi-ised  any  one  not  aware  of  poor  Harry's  incur- 
able antipathy  to  the  desk,  and  the  yearning  desire  with 
which  he  longed  for  physical  action. 

Harry  was  busily  engaged  with  the  refractory  fire, 
when  Charley,  as  stated  at  the  conclusion  of  the  last 
chapter,  burst  into  the  room. 

"  Hallo  !  "  he  exclaimed,  suspending  his  operations  for 
a  moment,  "  what's  up  ?"  «  Nothing,'^  said  Charley,  "  but 
father's  temper,  that's  all.     He  gave  me  a  splendid  de- 
scription of  his  life  in  the  woods,  and  then  threw  his  pipe 
at  me  because  I  admired  it  too  much." 
^     "  Ho  !  "  exclaimed  Harry,  making  a  vigorous  thrust  at 
'  the  fire,  "  then  you've  no  chance  now." 
:      "  No  chance !  what  do  you  mean  "i  " 
\|      "  Only  that  we  are  to  have  a  wolf-hunt  in  the  plains 
?  to-morrow,  and  if  you've  aggravated  your  father,  he'll  he, 
takmg  you  home  to-night,  that's  all." 

"  Oh  !  no  fear  of  that,"  said  Charley,  with  a  look  that 

r  seemed  to  imply  that  there  was  very  great  fear  of '  that ' 

much  more,  in  fact,  than  he  was  willing  to  admit  even  to 

nmself.     "  My  dear  old  fother  never  keeps  his  an^er 

^'^^  ^"^'^  t^^at  he'll  be  all  right  again  in  half  °an 


long, 
hour. 


Hope  so,  but  doubt  it  I  do,"  said  Harry,  making 


other  deadly  poke  at  the  fire,  and 
sigh,  to  his  stool. 


an- 


returning,  with  a  deep 


ill 


m 


i  I   ■iiH 


iii  linM'riii 


86 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


"  Would  you  like  to  go  with  us,  Charley  ?  "  said  the 
senior  clerk,  laying  down  his  pen  and  turning  round  on 
his  chair  (the  senior  clerk  never  sat  on  a  stool)  with  a 
benign  smile. 

"  Oh  !  yeiy,  very  much  indeed,"  cried  Charley  ;  "  but 
even  should  father  agree  to  stay  all  night  at  the  fort,  I 
have  no  horse,  and  I'm  sure  he  would  not  let  me  have 
the  mare  after  what  I  did  to-day." 

"  Do  you  think  he's  not  open  to  persuasion  ?  "  said  the 
senior  clerk. 

"  No,  I'm  sure  he's  not." 

"  "Well,  well,  it  don't  much  signify ;  perhaps  we  can 
mount  you." 

Charley's  face  brightened. 

"  Go,"  he  continued,  addressing  Harry  Somerville, 
"  go,  tell  Tom  Whyte  I  wish  to  speak  to  him." 

Harry  sprang  from  his  stool  with  a  suddenness  and 
vigor  that  might  have  justified  the  belief  that  he  had 
been  fixed  to  it  by  means  of  a  powerful  spring,  which 
had  been  set  free  with  a  sharp  recoil  and  shot  him  out  at 
the  door,  for  he  disappeared  in  a  trice.  In  a  few  minutes 
he  returned,  followed  by  the  groom  Tom  Whyte. 

"  Tom,"  said  the  senior  clerk,  "  do  you  think  we  could 
manage  to  mount  Charley  to-morrow  ?  " 

"Why,  sir,  I  don't  think  as  how  we  could.  There 
aint  an  'oss  in  the  stable  except  them  wot's  required  and 
them  wot's  badly." 

"  Couldn't  he  have  the  brown  pony  ? "  suggested  the 
senior  clerk. 

Tom  Whyte  was  a  cockney,  and  an  old  soldier,  and 
stood  so  bolt  upright  that  it  seemed  quite  a  marvel  how 
the  words  ever  managed  to  climb  up  the  steep  ascent  of 
his  throat,  and  turn  the  corner  so  as  to  get  out  at  his 


FROM  THE  FAR   NORTH. 


37 


?"  said  the 
ig  round  on 
tool)  with  a 

irley  ;  "  but 
t  the  fort,  I 
et  me  have 

?"  said  the 


aps  we  can 


Somerville, 

enness  and 
bat  he  had 
ring,  which 
him  out  at 
ew  minutes 
^te. 
k  we  could 

Id.     There 
iquired  and 


jgested  the 


oldier,  and 

larvel  how 

p  ascent  of 

out  at  his 


mouth.     Perhaps  this  was  the  cause  of  his  speaking  on 
all  occasions  with  great  deliberation  and  slowness. 

"  Why,  you  see,  sir,"  he  replied,  "  the  brown  pony's 
got  cut  under  the  fetlock  of  the  right  hind  leg  ;  and  I 
'ad  'im  down  to  L'Esperance  the  smith's,  sir,  to  look  at 
'im,  sir ;  and  he  says  to  me,  says  he,  '  That  don't  look 
well  that  'oss  don't,'  —  and  he's  a  knowing  feller,  sir,  is 

L'Esperance,  though  he  is  an  'alf-breed " 

"Never   mind   what  he    said,  Tom,"  interrupted  the 
'^  senior  clerk  ;  "  is  the  pony  fit  for  use  ?  that's  the  ques- 
tion." 

"  No,  sir,  'e  haint." 

"  And  the  black  m,  re,  can  he  not  have  that?  " 
"  No,  sir,  Mr.  Grant  is  to  ride  'er  to-morrow." 
"  Tiiat's  unfortunate,"  said  the  senior  clerk;  "I  fear 
Charley,  that  you'll  need  to  ride  behind  Harry  on  his 
gi-ay  pony.  It  wouldn't  improve  his  speed,  to  be  sure, 
having  two  on  his  back,  but  then  he's  so  like  a  pig  in 
his  movements  at  any  rate,  I  don't  think  it  would  spoil 
his  pace  much." 

"  Could  he  not  try  the  new  horse  ?  "  he  continued,  turn- 
ing to  the  groom. 

"The  noo  'oss,  sir !  he  might  as  well  try  to  ride  a  mad 
buffalo  bull,  sir.  He's  quite  a  young  colt,  sir,  only  'alf 
broke  —kicks  like  a  windmill,  sir,  and's  got  an  'ead  like 
a  steam-engine  ;  'e  couldn't  'old  'im  in  no  'ow,  sir.  I  'ad 
'im  down  to  the  smith  'tother  day,  sir,  an'  says  'e  to  me, 
says  'e,  '  That's  a  screamer,  that  is.'  '  Yes,'  says  I,  *  that 
his  a  fact.'     '  Well,'  says  'e  -^ " 

"  Hang  the  smith,"  cried  the  senior  clerk,  losing  all 
patience,  "can't  you  answer  me  wiiiout  so  much  talk.? 
Is  the  horse  too  wild  to  ride  ?  " 

"  Yes,  sir,  'e  is,"  said  the  groom,  with  a  look  of  slightly 


38 


SNOWFLAKES  AND   SUNBEAMS 


i 

I 
I'l 


-i 


!      I-  li 


t'm 


offended  dignity,  and  drawing  himself  up  —  if  we  may 
use  such  an  expression  to  one  who  was  always  drawn 
up  to  such  an  extent  that  he  seemed  to  be  just  balanced 
on  his  heels,  and  required  only  a  gentle  push  to  lay  him 
flat  on  his  back. 

"  Oh !  I  have  it,"  cried  Peter  Mactavish,  who  had  been 
standing,  during  the  conversation,  with  his  back  to  the 
fire,  and  a  short  pipe  in  his  mouth  —  "  John  Fowler,  the 
miller,  has  just  purchased  a  new  pony.  I'm  told  it's  an 
old  buffalo  runner,  and  I'm  certain  he  would  lend  it  to 
Charley  at  once." 

"  The  very  thing,"  said  the  senior  clerk.  "  Run,  Tom ; 
give  the  miller  my  compliments,  and  beg  the  loan  of  his 
horse  for  Charley  Kennedy.  I  think  he  knows  you, 
Charley?" 

The  dinner-bell  rang  as  the  groom  departed,  and  the 
clerks  prepared  for  their  mid-day  meal. 

The  senior  clerk's  order  to  "  run  "  was  a  mere  form  of 
speech,  intended  to  indicate  that  haste  was  desirable. 
No  man  imagined  for  a  moment  that  Tom  Whyte  could, 
by  any  possibility,  run.  He  hadn't  run  since  he  was 
dismissed  from  the  army,  twenty  years  before,  for  incur- 
able drunkenness  ;  and  most  of  Tom's  friends  entertained 
the  belief,  that  if  he  ever  attempted  to  run,  he  would  ' 
crack  all  over,  and  go  to  pieces  like  a  disentombed  Egyp- 
tian mummy.  Tom,  therefore,  walked  off  to  the  row  of 
buildings  inhabited  by  the  men,  where  he  sat  down  on  a 
bench  in  front  of  his  bed,  and  proceeded  leisurely  to  fill 
his  pipe. 

The  room  in  which  he  sat  was  a  fair  specimen  of  the 
dwellings  devoted  to  the  employees  of  the  Hudson's  Bay 
Company  throughout  the  country.  It  was  large,  and 
low  in  the  roof,  built  entirely  of  wood,  which  was  un- 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


39 


painted,  —  <i  matter,  however,  of  no  consequence,  as, 
from  long  exposure  to  dust  and  tobacco-smoke,  the  floor, 
walls,  and  ceiling,  had  become  one  deep  uniform  brown. 
The  men's  beds  were  constructed  after  the  fashion  of 
berths  on  board  ship,  being  wooden  boxes  ranged  in 
,tiers  round  the  room.  Several  tables  and  benches  were 
strewn  miscellaneously  about  the  floor,  in  the  centre  of 
which  stood  a  large  double  iron  stove,  with  the  word 
"  Carron  "  stamped  on  it.  This  served  at  once  for  cook- 
ing and  warming  the  place.  Numerous  guns,  axes,  and 
canoe-paddles  hung  round  the  walls  or  were  piled  in  cor- 
ners, and  the  rafters  sustained  a  miscellaneous  mass  of 
materials,  the  more  conspicuous  among  which  were  snow- 
shoes,  dog-sledges,  axe-handles,  and  nets. 

Having  filled  and  lighted  his  pipe,  Tom  Whyte  thrust 
his  hands  into  his  deer-skin  mittens,  and  sauntered  off  to 
perform  his  errand. 


40 


SNOWFLAKES   AND  SUNBEAMS 


CHAPTER  IV. 


'hi-  ^ 


iff- 


A    WOLF-IIUNT   IN    THE    PRAIRIES- CHAR .  ...iTONISHES   HIS 

FATHER,  AND  BREAKS  IN  THE  "  NOO  'OSS  "  EFFECTUALITY. 

■pvURING  the  long  winter  that  reigns  in  the  northern 
-L'  regions  of  America,  the  thermometer  ranges,  for 
many  months  together,  from  zero  down  to  20,  30,  and  40 
degrees  below  it.     In  different  parts  of  the  country  the 
intensity  of  tlie  frost  varies  a  little,  but  not  sufficiently  to 
make  any  appreciable  change  in  one's  sensation  of  cold. 
At  York  Fort,  on  the  shores  of  Hudson's  Bay,  where  the 
winter  is  eight  months  long,  the  spirit-of-wine  (mercury 
being  useless  in  so  cold  a  climate)  sometimes  falls  so  low 
as  50  degrees  below  zero ;  and  away  in  the  regions  of 
Great  Bear  Lake,  it  has  been  known  to  fall  considerably 
lower  than  60  degrees  below  zero  of  Fahrenheit.      Cold 
of  such  intensity,  of  course,  produces  many    urious  and 
interesting  effects ;  which,  although  scarcely  noticed  by 
the  inhabitants,  make  a  strong  impression  upon  the  minds 
of  those  who  visit  the  country  for  the  first  time.     A  youth 
goes  out  to  walk  on  one  of  the  first  sharp,  frosty  morn- 
ings.    His  locks  are  brown  and  his  face  ruddy.     In  half 
an  hour   he  returns  with  his  face  blue,  his  nose  frost- 
bitten, and  his  locks  white  —  the  latter  effect  being  pro- 
duced by  his  breath  congealing  on  his  hair  and  breast, 
until  both  are  covered  with  hoar-frost.     Perhaps  he  is  of 
41  skeptical  nature,  prejudiced,  it  may  be,  in  favor  of  old 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


41 


inges,  for 
0,  and  40 
untry  the 
ciently  to 
n  of  cold, 
vhere  the 
(mercury 
lis  so  low 
egions  of 
siderably 
t.  Cold 
ious  and 
)ticed  by 
he  minds 

A  youth 
ty  morn- 

In  half 
•se  frost- 


ing pro- 
1  breast. 


habits  and  customs,  so  that,  although  told,  by  those  who 
ouglit  to  know,  that  it  is  absolutely  necessary  to  wear 
moccasons  in  winter,  he  prefers  the  leather  boots  to  which 
he  has  been  accustomed  at  home,  and  goes  out  with  them 
accordingly.  In  a  few  minutes  the  feet  begin  to  lose  sen- 
sation. First  the  toes,  as  far  as  feeling  goes,  vanish; 
then  the  heels  depart,  and  he  feels  the  extraordinary  and 
peculiar,  and  altogether  disagreeable  sensation  of  one  who 
ha^  had  his  heels  and  toes  amputated,  and  is  walking 
about  on  his  insteps.  Soon,  however,  these  also  fade 
away,  and  the  unhappy  youth  rushes  frantically  home 
on  the  stumps  of  his  ankle-bones  —  at  least  so  it  appears 
to  him  —  and  so  in  reality  it  would  turn  out  to  be,  if  he 
did  not  speedily  rub  the  benumbed  appendages  into  vital- 
ity, again. 

Tlie  whole  country,  during  this  season,  is  buried  in 
snow,  and  the  prairies  of  Red  River  present  the  appear- 
ance of  a  sea  of  the  purest  white,  for  five  or  six  months 
of  the   year.      Impelled   by  hunger,  troops   of  prairie 
wolves  prowl  round  tiie  settlement,  safe  from  the  assault 
of  man  in  consequence  of  their  light  weight  permitting 
them  to  scamper  away  on  the  surface  of  the  snow,  into 
which  man  or  horse,  from  their  greater  weight,  would 
sink,  so  as  to  render  pursuit  either  fearfully  laborious,  or 
altogether  impossible.     In  spring,  however,  when  the  first 
thaws  begin  to  take  place,  and  commence  that  delightful 
process  of  disruptio'i  which  introduces  this  charming  sea- 
son of  the  year,  the  relative  position  of  wolf  and  man  is 
reversed.     The  snow  becomes  suddenly  soft,  so  that  the 
short  legs  of  the  wolf,  sinking  deep  into  it,  fail  to  reach 
the  solid  ground  below,  and  he  is  obliged  to  drag  heavily 
along,  while  the  long  legs  of  the  horse  enable  him  to 
plunge  through  and  dash  aside  the  snow  at  a  rate,  which, 


42 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


!!.: 


ii      I 


although  not  very  fleet,  is  sufficient,  nevertheless,  to  over- 
take  the  cha.se  and  give  his  rider  a  chance  of  sliootin-  it. 
Ihe  inhabitants  of  Red  River  are  not  much  addicted  to 
this  sport,  but  the  gentlemen  of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Ser- 
vice sometimes  practise  it ;  and  it  was  to  a  hunt  of  this 
description  tiiat  our  young  friend  Charley  Kennedy  was 
now  so  anxious  to  go. 

The  morning  was  propitious.  The  sun  blazed  in 
dazzlmg  splendor  in  a  sky  of  deep,  unclouded  blue,  while 
the  white  prairie  glittered  as  if  it  were  a  sea  of  diamonds 
rolhng  out  in  an  unbroken  sheet  from  the  walls  of  the 
fort  to  the  horizon,  and  on  looking  at  which  one  experi- 
enced all  the  pleasurable  feelings  of  being  out  on  a  calm 
day  on  the  wide,  wide  sea,  without  the  disagreeable  con- 
sequence  of  being  very,  very  sick. 

The   thermometer   stood   at   39°  in   the   shade,   and 
^' everything-,"  as  Tom  Whyte  emphatically  expressed  it, 
looked  hke  a  runnin'  of  right  away  into  slush."     That 
unusual  sound,  the  trickling  of  water,  so  inexpressibly 
grateful  to  the  ears  of  those  who  dwell  in  frosty  climes 
was  heard  all  around,  as  the  heavy  masses  of  snow  on 
the  house-tops  sent  a  few  adventurous  drops  glidin-  down 
the  iccles  which  depended  from  the  eves  and  gable°  ;  and 
there  was  a  balmy  softness  in  the  air  that  told  of  coming 
spring.     Nature,  in  fact,  seemed  to  have  wakened  from 
her  long  nap,  and  was  beginning  to  think  of  getting  up. 
-Like  people,  however,  who  venture  to  delay  so  long  as 
to  think  about  it,  Nature  frequently  turns  round  and  goes 
to  sleep  again  in  her  icy  cradle  for  a  few  weeks  after  the 
nrst  awakenino-. 

The  scene  in  the  court-yard  of  Fort  Garry  harmonized 
with  the  cheerful  spirit  of  the  morning.  Tom  Whyte, 
with  that  upright  solemnity  which  constituted  one  of  his 


iJUI!!i 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


48 


blazed  in 
:)lue,  while 
diamonds 
alls  of  the 
le  experi- 
on  a  calm 
eable  con- 

lade,   and 
)ressed  it, 
1."     That 
tpressibly 
ty  climes, 
^  snow  on 
iing  down 
bles;  and 
>f  coming 
ned  from 
3tting  up. 
3  long  as 
and  goes 
after  the 

fmonized 
I  Whf te, 
ne  of  his 


characteristic  fcatjres,  was  standing  in  the  centre  of  a 
group  of  horses,  whose  energy  he  endeavored  to  restrain 
with  the  help  of  a  small  Indian  boy,  to  wliom,  mean- 
while, he  imparted  a  variety  of  useful  and  otherwise  un- 
attainable information. 

"  You  see,  Joseph,"  said  he  to  the  urchin,  who  gazed 
gravely  in  his  face  with  a  pair  of  very  large  and  dark 
eyes,  "  ponies  is  often  skittish.  Reason  why  one  should 
be,  an'  another  not,  I  can't  comprehend.  P'r'aps  its 
nat'ral,  p'r'aps  not,  but  howsomediver  so  'tis,  an'  if  its 
more  nor  above  the  likes  o'  me,  Joseph,  you  needn't  be 
surprised  that  it's  somethink  haltogether  beyond  you" 

It  will  not  surprise  the  reader  to  be  told  that  Josep!i 
made  no  reply  to  this  s[)eech,  having  a  very  imperfect 
acquaintance  with  the  English  language,  especially  the 
peculiar  dialect  of  that  tongue  in  which  Tom  Whyte  was 
wont  to  express  his  ideas  when  he  had  any. 

He  merely  gave  a  grunt,  and  continued  to  gaze  at 
Tom's  fishy  eyes,  which  were  about  as  interesting  as  the 
face  to  which  they  belonged,  and  that  might  have  been 
mistaken  for  almost  anything. 

"  Yes,  Joseph,"  he  continued,  «  that's  a  fact.  There's 
the  noo  brown  'oss  now,  it's  a  skittish  'un.  And  there's 
Mr.  Kennedy's  gray  mare,  wot's  a  standin'  of  beside  me, 
she  ain't  skittish  a  bit,  though  she's  plenty  of  spirit,  and 
wouldn't  care  ha ny think  for  a  live-barred  gate.  Now, 
wot  I  want  to  know  is,  wot's  the  reas6n  why  ?  " 

We  fear  that  the  reason  why,  however  interesting  it 
might  prove  to  naturalists,  must  remain  a  profound 
secret  forever  ;  for,  just  as  the  groom  was  about  to 
entertain  Joseph  with  one  of  his  theories  on  the  point, 
Charley  Kennedy  and  Harry  Somervillc  hastily  ap- 
proached. 


u 


SNOVVFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


F  ii 


i'   I 


i;inj;ii!ii 


"Ilo,  Tom!"  exclaimed  the  former,  "have  you  got 
the  miller's  pony  for  me?" 

"  Why,  no,  sir ;  'e  'adn't  got  his  shoes  on,  sir,  last 
p'lght " 

"Oh!  bother  his  shoes,"  said  Charley,  in  a  voice  of 
great  disappointment.  "  Why  didn't  you  bring  him  up 
without  shoes,  man,  eh  ?  " 

"  Well,  sir,  the  miller  said  'e'd  get  'em  put  on  early 
this  mornin',  an'  I  'xpect  'e'll  be  'ere  in  'alf  a  hour  .at 
farthest,  sir." 

"  Oh,  very  well,"  replied  Charley,  much  relieved,  but 
still  a  little  nettled  at  the  bare  possibility  of  being  late. 
"  Come  along,  Harry,  let's  go  and  meet  him.  He'll  be 
long  enough  of  coming  if  we  don't  go  to  poke  him  up  a 
bit." 

"  You'd  better  wait,"  called  out  the  groom,  as  the  boys 
hastened  away.  "If  you  go  by  the  river  he'll  p'r'aps 
come  by  the  plains,  and  if  you  go  by  the  plains  he'll 
p'r'aps  come  by  the  river." 

Charley  and  Harry  stopped  and  looked  at  each  other. 
Then  they  looked  at  the  groom,  and  as  their  eyes  sur- 
veyed his  solemn,  cadaverous  countenance,  which  seemed 
a  sort  of  bad  caricature  of  the  long  visages  of  the  horses 
that  stood  around  him,  they  burst  into  a  simultaneous 
and  prolonged  laugh. 

"  He's  a  clever  old  lamp-post,"  said  Harry,  at  last ; 
"  we  had  better  remain,  Charley." 

"  You  see,"  continued  Tom  Whyte,  "  the  pony's  'oofs 
is  in  an  'orrible  state.  Last  night  w'en  I  seed  'im,  I  said 
to  the  miller,  says  I,  'John,  I'll  take  'im  down  to  the 
smith  d'rectly.'  '  Very  good,'  said  John.  So  I  'ad  'im 
down  to  the  smith " 

liie  remamder  of  Tom's  speech  was  cut  short  by  one 


FROM  THK  FAR  NORTH. 


45 


of  those  unforeseen   operations   of  the   laws  of  nature, 
which  are  peculiar  to  arctic  climates.     During  the  long 
winter,  repeated  falls  of  snow  cover  the  house-tops  with 
white  mantles  ui)warcls  of   a  foot  thick,  which  become 
gradually  tliiek(;r  and  more    consolidated  as  winter  ad- 
vances.    In   si)ring,  the  suddenness  of  the  thaw  loosens 
these  from  the   sloping  roofs,  and  ])recipitates  them  in 
masses  to  t!ie  ground.     These  miniature  avalanches  are 
dangerous,   jx'ople    having   been    seriously    injured    and 
sometimes  killed  by  them.    Now,  it  happened  that  a  very 
large  mass  of  snow,  which  lay  on,  and  partly  depended 
from,  the  roof  of  the  house  near  to  which  the  horses  were 
standing,  gave  way,  and  just  at  that  critical  point  in  Tom 
Whyte's  speech  when  he  "  'ad  'im  down  to  the  smith," 
fell  with  a  stunning  crash  on  the  back  of  Mr.  Kennedy's 
gray  mare.  The  mare  was  not  "  skittish  "  —  by  no  means 
—  according  to  Tom's  idea,  hut  it  would  have  been  more 
than  an  ordinary  mare  to  have  stood  the  sudden  descent 
of  half  a  ton  of  snow  without  some  symptom  of  conscious- 
ness.    No  sooner  did  it  feel  the  blow,  than  it  sent  both 
heels  with  a  bang  against  the  wooden  store,  by  way  of 
preliminary  movement,  and  then,  rearing  up  with  a  wild 
snort,  it  sprang  over  Tom  Whyte's  head,  jerked  the  reins 
from  his  hand,  and  upset  him  in  the  snow.     Poor  Tom 
never  bent  to  anything.     The  military  despotism  under 
which  he  had  been  reared  having  substituted  a  touch  of 
the  cap  for  a  bow,  rendered  it  unnecessary  to  bend  ;  pro- 
longed drill,  laziness,  and  rheumatism  made  it  at  last  im- 
possible.    When  he  stood  up,  he  did  so  after  the  manner 
of  a  pillar;  when  he  sat  down,  he  broke  across  at  two 
points,  much  in  the  way  in  which  a  foot-rule  would  have 
done,  had  it  felt  disposed  to  sit  down,  and  when  he  M\ 
he  came  down  like  an  overturned  lamp-post.      On  The 


46 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


present  occasion,  Torn  became  horizontal  in  a  moment, 
and  from  his  unfortunate  propensity  to  fail  strai<;ht,  his 
Iiead,  reaching  much  farther  than  nii^r|,t  have  been  ex- 
pected, came  into  violent  contact  with  the  small  Indian 
boy,  who  fell  flat  likewise,  letting  go  the  reins  of  the 
horses,  which  latter  no  sooner  felt  themselves  free,  than 
they  fled,  curvetting  and  snorting  round  the  court,  with 
reins  and  man(!s  flying  in  rare  confusion. 

The  two  boys,  who  could  scarce  stand  for  laughing, 
ran  to  the  gates  of  the  fort  to  prevent  the  chargers  get- 
ting free,  and  in  a  short  time  they  were  again  secu'red 
although  evidently  much  elated  in  spirit. 

A  few  minutes  after  this,  Mr.  Grant  issued  from  the 
principal  house,  leaning  on  Mr.  Kennedy's  arm,  and  fol- 
lowed by  the  senior  clerk,  Peter  Mactavish,  and  one  or 
two   friends  who  had   come    to  take  part  in   the    wolf- 
hunt.     They  were  all  armed  with  double  or  single  bar- 
relled guns  or  pi;^tols,  according  to  their  several  fancies. 
The  two  elderly  gentlemen  alone  entered  upon  the  scene 
without  any  more  deadly  weapons  than  their  heavy  rid- 
ing whips.      Young  Harry  Somerville,  who   had   been 
strongly  advised  not  to  take  a  gun  lest  he  should  shoot 
himself;  or  his  horse  or  his  companions,  was  content  to 
take  the  field  with  a  small  pocket-pistol,  which  he  cram- 
.med  to  the  muzzle  with  a  compound  of  ball  and  swan-shot. 
"  It  won't  do,"  said  Mr.  Grant,  in  an  earnest  voice,  to 
his  friend,  as  they  walked  towards  the  horses  —  "  it  won't 
do  to  check  him  too  abruptly,  my  dear  sir." 

It  was  evident  that  they  were  recurring  to  the  subject 
of  conversation  of  the  previous  day,  and  it  was  also  evi- 
dent that  the  father's  wrath  was  in  that  very  uncertain 
state  when  a  word  or  a  look  can  throw  it  into  violent 
agitation. 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


47 


"Just  permit  me,"  continued  Mr.  Grant,  "to  get  him 
sent  to  the  Saskateiiewan  or  Athabasca  lor  a  couple  of 
years,  liy  that  time  he'll  have  had  enou-h  of  a  rough 
life,  and  be  only  too  glad  to  get  a  berth  at  head-quarters. 
If  you  thwart  him  now,  1  feel  convinced  that  he'll  break 
through  all  restraint." 

"  llunii.h  !  "  ejaculated  Mv.  Kennedy,  with  a  frown. 
"  Come  here,  Charley,"  he  said,  as  the  boy  approached 
with  a  disappointed  look,  to  tell  of  his  failure  in  getting 
a  horse  '  I've  been  talking  with  Mr.  Grant  again  about 
this  business,  and  he  says  he  can  easily  get  you  into  the 
counting-room  here  for  a  year ;  so  you'll  make  arrange, 
ments "  ^ 

The  old  gentleman  paused;  he  was  going  to  have  fol- 
lowed his  wonted  course,  by  commandmff  instantaneous 
obedience;  but  as  his  eye  fell   upon  the  honest,  open 
tho„^.h  disappointed  face  of  his  son,  a  gush  of  tenderness' 
hlied  his  heart.     Laying  his  hand  upon  Charley's  head 
he  said,  in  a  kind  but  abrupt  tone,  "  There  now,  Charley' 
my  boy,  make  up  your  mind  to  gi^  e  in  with  a  good  grace! 
[It  1  only  be  hard  work  for  a  year  or  two,  and  then  plain 
sailing  after  that,  Charley  !  " 

Chai-ley's  clear  blue  eyes  filled  with  tears  as  the  ac- 
I  cents  of  kindness  fell  upon  his  ear. 

It  is  strange  that  men  should  frequently  be  so  blind  to 
the  potent  influence  of  kindness.  Independently  of  the 
Divme  authority,  which  assures  us  that  «a  soft  answer 
turneth  away  wrath,"  and  that  ^^  love  is  the  fulfilling,  of 
the  law,  who  has  not,  in  the  course  of  his  experience, 
felt  the  overwhelmmg  power  of  a  truly  aflTectionate  word  P 

sTJtu-  "''j-^^^'^'^'^  P«^«^-^«   "'-•ely  an   affectionate 

[signification  but  a  word  spoken  with  a  gush  of  tender- 

ne.s,  wnere  love  rolls  in  the  tone,  and  beams  in  the  eye 


48 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


S  lil 


i     ! 


mm 

^  i 

'Hi 


I:        i^ll!l 

111! 


li'llHi 

!,l        h  (I 


i!!lli!i 


I 


1 1 II 


and  revels  in  every  wrinkle  of  the  face !  And  how 
much  more  powerfully  does  such  a  word,  or  look,  or 
tone  strike  home  to' the  heart,  if  uttered  by  one  whose 
lips  are  not  much  accustomed  to  the  formation  of  hon- 
eyed words  or  sweet  sentences !  Had  Mr.  Kennedy, 
senior,  known  more  of  this  power,  and  put  it  more  fre- 
quently to  the  proof,  we  venture  to  affirm  that  Mr.  Ken- 
nedy, junior,  would  have  allowed  his  ^^Jlint  to  be  fixed'' 
(as  his  ftither  pithily  expressed  it)  long  ago. 

Ere  Charley  could  reply  to  the  question,  Mr.  Grant's 
voice,  pitched  in  an  elevated  key,  interrupted  them. 

"  Eh  !  what  ? "  said  that  gentleman  to  Tom  Whyte. 
"  No  horse  for  Charley  !   How's  that  ?  " 

"  No.  sir,"  said  Tom. 

"  Where's  the  brown  pony?  "  said  Mr.  Grant,  abruptly. 

"  Cut  'is  fetlock,  sir,"  said  Tom,  slowly. 

"  And  the  new  horse  ?  " 

"  'Tant  'alf  broke  yet,  sir." 

"Ah!  that's  bad.  It  wouldn't  do  to  take  an  un- 
broken charger,  Charley,  for,  although  you  are  a  pretty 
good  rider,  you  couldn't  manage  him,  I  fear.    Let  me  see." 

"  Please,  sir,"  said  the  groom,  touching  his  hat,  "  I've 
borrowed  the  miller's  pony  for  'im,  and  'e's  sure  to  be 
'ere  in  'alf  a  hour  at  farthest." 

"  Oh  !  that'll  do,"  said  Mr.  Grant,  "  you  can  soon  over- 
take us.  We  shall  ride  slowly  out  straight  into  the 
prairie,  and  Harry  will  remain  behind  to  keep  you  com- 
pany." 

So  saying,  Mr.  Grant  mounted  his  horse  and  rode  out 
at  the  back  gate,  followed  by  the  whole  cavalcade. 

"  Now,  this  is  too  bad  !  "  said  Charley,  looking  with 
a  very  perplexed  air  at  his  companion.  "  What's  to  be 
done?" 


I!  i 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


49 


Harry  evidently  did  not  know  what  was  to  be  done, 
and  made  no  difficulty  of  saying  so  in  a  very  sympathiz- 
ing tone.  Moreover  he  begged  Charley  very  earnestly 
to  take  his  pony,  but  this  the  other  would  not  hear  of;  so 
they  came  to  the  conclusion  that  there  was  nothing  for  it 
but  to  wait  as  patiently  as  possible  for  the  arrival  of  the 
expected  horse.  In  the  mean  time,  Harry  proposed  a 
saunter  in  the  field  adjoining  the  fort.  Charley  assented, 
and  the  two  friends  walked  away,  leading  the  gray  pony 
along  with  them.  J  i-    J 

To  the  right  of  Fort  Garry  was  a  small  enclosure,  at 
the  extreme  end  of  which  commences  a  growth  of  willows 
and  underwood,  which  gradually  increases  in  size  till  it 
becomes  a  pretty  thick  belt  of  woodland,  skirting  up  the- 
river  for  many  miles.     Here  stood  the  stable  belono-in«. 
to  the  establishment ;  and,  as  the  boys  passed  it,  Charley 
suddenly  conceived  a  strong  desire  to  see  the  renowned 
"  noo  'OSS,"  which  Tom  Whyte  had  said  was  only  « 'alf ' 
broke ; »   so  he  turned  the  key,  opened  the  door,  and 
went  in.  ' 

There  was  nothing  very  peculiar  about  this  horse 
excepting  that  his  legs  seemed  rather  long  for  his  body'^ 
and  upon  a  closer  examination,  there  was  a  noticeable' 
breadth  of  nostril  and  a  latent  fire  in  his  eye,  indicating  a. 
good  deal  of  spirit,  which,  like  Charley's  own,  requiredl 
tammnf.  ^ 

"  Oh,"  said  Charley,  «  what  a  splendid  fellow !     I  say 
Harry,  I'll  go  out  with  him:' 
"  Yo'i'd  better  not." 
"  Why  not  ?  " 

"  Why  ?     Just  because  if  you  do,  Mr.  Grant  will  be 
down   upon   vqh    o«ri   c  .^  ,     . 

pleased."    "  """^  '""''  ''''"^''  ^""''^  ^^  ^^^^  ^'*^^^ 


50 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


f ;;  i  i 


I  if 


■'i{ 


in 


I  III  ill 

■ 


im 


ill 


I   "hM^Hii 


;i'!i 


jy 


I  1    h 
I    !! 


"  Nonsense,"  cried  Charley.  «  Father  didn't  say  I 
wasn't  to  take  him.  I  don't  think  he'd  care  much.  He's 
not  afraid  of  my  breaking  my  neck.  And,  then,  Mr. 
Grant  seemed  to  be  only  afraid  of  my  being  run  off  with 
—  not  of  his  horse  being  hurt.  Here  goes  for  it !"  In 
another  moment,  Charley  had  him  saddled,  and  bridled 
and  led  him  out  into  the  yard. 

"  Why,  I  declare,  he's  quite  quiet ;  just  like  a  lamb," 
said  Harry,  in  surprise. 

"  So  he  is,"  replied  Charley.  «  He's  a  capital  charger ; 
and  even  if  he  does  bolt,  he  can't  run  five  hundred  miles 
at  a  stretch.  If  I  turn  his  head  to  the  prairies,  the 
Rocky  Mountains  are  the  first  things  that  will  bring  him 
up.  So  let  him  run  if  he  likes  —  I  don't  care  a  fig."  And 
springing  lightly  into  the  saddle,  he  cantered  out  of  the 
yard,  followed  by  his  friend. 

The  young  horse  was  a  well-formed,  showy  animal, 
with  a  good  deal  of  bene  —  perhaps  too  much  for  ele- 
gance. He  was  of  a  beautiful  dark  brown,  and  carried 
a  high  head  and  tail,  with  a  high-stepping  gait,  that 
gave  him  a  noble  appearance.  As  Charley  cantered 
atong  at  a  steady  pace,  he  could  discover  no  symptoms 
of  the  refractory  spirit  which  had  been  ascribed  to 
him. 

"  Let  us  strike  out  straight  for  the  horizon  now,"  said 
Harry,  after  they  had  galloped  half  a  mile  or  so  along  the 
beaten  track.  "  See,  here  are  the  tracks  of  our  friends." 
Turning  sharp  round  as  he  spoke,  he  leaped  his  pony 
over  the  heap  that  lined  the  road,  and  galloped  away 
through  the  soft  snow. 

At  this  point  the  young  horse  began  to  show  his  evil 
spirit.  Instead  of  following  the  other,  he  suddenly  halted 
and  began  to  back. 


FROM  THE  FAB  NORTH. 


51 


"  Hallo,  Harry  ! "  exclaimed  Charley  ;  «  hold  on  a  bit. 
Here's  this  monster  begun  his  tricks." 
"  Hit  him  a  crack  with  the  whip,"  shouted  Harry. 
Charley  acted  upon  the  advice,  which  had  the  effect  of 
making  the  horse  shake  his  head  with  a  sharp  snort,  and 
back  more  vigorously  than  ever, 

"  There,  my  fine  fellow,  quiet  now,"  said  Charley,  in  a 
soothing  tone,  patting  the  horse's  neck.  "  It's  a  comfort 
to  know  you  can't  go  far  in  that  direction,  anyhow  ! "  he 
added,  as  he  glanced  over  his  shoulder,  and  saw  an  im- 
mense drift  behind. 

He  was  right.  In  a  hvf  minutes  the  horse  backed  into 
the  snow-drift.  Finding  his  hind-quarters  imprisoned  h^^ 
a  power  that  was  too  much  even  for  his  obstinacy  to 
overcome,  he  gave  another  snort  and  a  heavy  plunge, 
which  almost  unseated  his  young  rid'er. 

"  Hold  on  fast,"  cried  Harry,''who  had  now  come  up. 
"  No  fear,"  cried  Charley,  as  he  clenched  his  teeth  and 
galhercd  the  reins  more  firmly.    "  Now  for  it,  you  youn- 
villain  !  "  and,  raising  his  whip,  he  brought  it  down  with 
a  heavy  slash  on  the  horse's  flank. 

Had  the  snow-drift  been  a  cannon,  and  the  horse  a 
bomb-shell,  he  could  scarcely  have  sprung  from  it  with 
greater  velocity.  One  bound  landed  him  on  the  ro-id  • 
another  cleared  it;  and,  in  a  second  more,  he  stretched 
out  at  full  speed, -his  ears  flat  on  his  neck,  mane  and 
tad  %i„g  ,n  the  wind,  and  the  bit  tight  between  his 

now,  old  fellow,  —  good-bye." 

"Hurrah  ! "  shouted  Charley,  in  reply,  leaving  his  cap 
m  the  snow  as  a  parting  souvenir ;  while,  ...[.^  tlia^  ^t 
was  useless  to  endeavor  to  check  his  steed,  h^became 


g 


iiiiiii 


'''  iii 


111  |! 


Ill  iiiiimHIi     I   ,,, 

ii  ! 


!       ill 


III 
III  J  ! 


ill 

1  h  f   I  1 


'I  ill 
I! 


'I 


II  M 

l,"l 


'i  Ilii  ■' 


j' 
ijl'l 

l|' 
I    I 


II    'I 


illi' 


52 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


quite  wild  with  excitement ;  gave  him  the  ein  ;  flour- 
ished his  whip ;  and  flew  over  the  white  plains,  casting 
up  the  snow  in  clouds  behind  him  like  a  hurricane ! 

While  this  little  escapade  was  being  enacted  by  the 
boys,  the  hunters  were  riding  leisurely  out  upon  the 
snowy  sea  in  search  of  a  wolf. 

Words  cannot  convey  to  you,  dear  reader,  an  adequate 
conception  of  the  peculiar  fascination,  the  exhilarating 
splendor  of  the  scene  by  which  our  hunters  were  sur- 
rounded.    Its  beauty  lay  not  in  variety  of  feature  in  the 
landscape,  for  there  was  none.     One  vast  sheet  of  white 
alone  met  the  view,  bounded  all  round  by  the  blue  circle 
of  the  sky,  and  broken,  in  one  or  two  places,  by  a  patch 
or  two  of  willows,  which,  rising  on  the  plain,  appeared 
like  little  islands  in  a  frozen  sea.     It  was  the  glittering 
sparkle  of  the  snow  in  the  bright  sunshine ;  the  dreamy 
haziness  of  the  atmosphere,  mingling  earth  and  sky  as  in 
a  halo  of  gold ;  the  first  taste  —  the  first  smell  of  spring 
after  a  long  winter,  bursting  suddenly  upon  the  senses, 
like  the  unexpected  visit  of  a  long  absent,  much  loved, 
and  almost  forgotten  friend;  the  soft,  warm  feeling  of  the 
south  wind,  bearing  on  its  wings  the  balmy  influences  of 
sunny  climes,  arfd  recalling  vividly  the  scenes,  the  pleas- 
ures, the  bustling  occupations  of  summer.     It  was  this 
that  caused  the  hunters'  hearts  to  leap  within  them  as 
they  rode  along  — that  induced  old  Mr.  Kennedy  to  for- 
get his  years,  and  shout  as  he  had  been  wont  to  do  in 
days  gone  by,  when  he  used  to  follow  the  track  of  the 
elk,  or  hunt  the  wild  bufialo ;  and  it  was  this  that  made 
the  otherwise  monotonous  prairies,  on  this  particular  day, 
so  charming. 

The   party  had  wandered   about  without  discovering 
anything  that  bore  the  smallest  resemblance  to  a     olf, 


hI  Ii!!: 


FROM    THE    FAR  NORTH. 


53 


ere  sur- 


for  upwards  of  an  hour.  Fort  Garry  had  fallen  astern 
(to  use  a  nautical  phrase)  until  it  had  become  a  mere 
speck  on  the  horizon,  and  vanished  altogether.  Peter 
Mactavish  had  twice  given  a  false  alarm,  in  the  eager- 
ness of  his  spirit,  and  had  three  times  plunged  °his 
horse  up  to  the  girths  in  a  snow-drift.  The  senior  clerk 
was  waxing  impatient,  and  the  horses  restive,  when  a 
sudden  "hallo!"  from  Mr.  Grant  brought  the  whole 
cavalcade  to  a  stand. 

The  object  which  drew  his  attention,  and  to  which  he 
directed  the  anxious  eyes  of  his  friends,  was  a  small 
speck,  rather  triangular  in  form,  which  overtopped  a 
little  willow-bush  not  more  than  five  or  six  hundred 
yards  distant. 

"  There  he  is  ! "  exclaimed  Mr.  Grant.  «  That's  a  fact," 
cried  Mr.  Kennedy;  and  both  gentlemen,  instantaneously 

'  givmg  a  shout,  bounded  towards  the  object;  not,  how- 
ever, before  the  senior  clerk,  who  was  mounted  on  a  fleet 
and  strong  horse,  had  taken  the  lead  by  six  yards      A 

^    moment  afterwards    the  speck   rose  up  and  discovered 
Itself  to  be  a  veritable  wolf.     Moreover,  he  condescended 
to  show  his  teeth,  and,  then,  conceiving  it  probable  that 
his  enemies  were  too  numerous  for  him,  he  turned  sud- 
denly round  and  fled  away.     For  ten  minutes  or  so  the 
chase  was  kept  up  at  full  speed,  and  as  the  snow  hap- 
pened to  be  shallow  at  the  starting  point,  the  wolf  kept 
wel  ahead  of  its  pursuers  -  indeed,  distanced  them  a 
little.     But  soon  the  snow  became  deeper,  and  the  wolf 
plunged  heavily,  and  the  horses  gained  considerably.   Al- 
though, to  the  eye,  the  prairies  seemed  to  be  a  uniform 
level,  there  were  numerous  slight  undulations,  in  which 
"    ^^  ■'  i^"^  "^'^  cuaucieu.    into  one  or  these  the 
wolf  now  plunged  and  labored  slowly  through  it.     But  so 


'1      ll   ll'.IU;  ' 

|i  illliiilll!!! 
"tifil 


I    i 


mm 
III  ii 


iiJijjHiiiiiiii 


^^^1  iiiii 


ii  ' 


,   i     HI 
ill  I 


if n 

f  I  I'll 


.MI     '  1    iiii  I 


54 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


deep  was  the  snow  that  the  horses  almost  stuck  fast.  A 
few  minutes,  however,  brought  them  out,  and  Mr.  Grant 
and  Mr.  Kennedy,  who  had  kept  close  to  each  other  dur- 
ing the  run,  pulled  up  for  a  moment  on  the  summit  of  a 
ridge  to  breathe  their  panting  steeds. 

"  What  can  that  be  ?  "  exclaimed  the  former,  pointing 
with  his  whip  to  a  distant  object  which  was  moving  rap- 
idly over  the  plain. 

"  Eh  !  what!  where  ?  "  said  Mr.  Kennedy,  shading  his 
eyes  with  his  hand,  and  peering  in  the  direction  indicated. 
"  Why,  that's  another  wolf,  isn't  it  ?  No,  it  runs  too  fast 
for  that." 

"  Strange,"  said  his  friend,  "  what  can  it  be  ?  " 

"  If  I  hadn't  seen  every  beast  in  the  country,"  remarked 
Mr.  Kennedy,  "  and  didn't  know  that  there  are  no  such 
animals  north  of  the  equator,  I  should  say  it  was  a  mad 
dromedary  mounted  by  a  ring-tailed  roarer." 

"  It  can't  be,  surely !  —  not  possible  !  "  exclaimed  Mr. 
Grant.     "  It's  not  Charley  on  the  new  horse  ! " 

Mr.  Grant  said  this  with  an  air  of  vexation  that  an- 
noyed his  friend  a  little.  He  would  not  have  much 
minded  Charley's  taking  a  horse  without  leave,  no  matter 
how  wild  it  might  be  ;  but  he  did  not  at  all  relish  the  idea 
of  making  an  apology  for  his  son's  misconduct,  and,  for 
the  moment,  did  not  exactly  know  what  to  say.  As  usual 
in  such  a  dilemma,  the  old  man  took  refuge  in  a  towerin<^ 
passion,  gave  his  steed  a  sharp  cut  with  the  whip,  and 
galloped  forward  to  meet  the  delinquent. 

We  are  not  acquainted  with  the  general  appearance  of 
a  "  ring-tailed  roarer  ; "  in  fact,  we  have  grave  doubts  as 
to  whether  such  an  animal  exists  at  all ;  but  if  it  does, 
and  is  particularly  wild,  diahevcilcd,  and  fierce  in  deport- 
ment, there  is  no  doubt  whatever,  that,  when  Mr.  Ken- 


"i  iMi 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


55 


I 


nedy  applied  the  name  to  his  hopeful  son,  the  application 
was  singularly  powerful  and  appropriate. 

Charley  had  had  a  long  run  since  we  last  saw  him. 
After  describing  a  wide  curve,  in  which  iiis  charger  dis- 
played a  surprising  aptitude  for  picking  out  the  ground 
that  was  least  covered  with  snow,  he  headed  straight  for 
the  fort  again  at  the  same  pace  at  which  he  had  started. 
At  first,  Charley  tried  every  possible  method  to  check 
him,  but  in  vain  ;  so  he  gave  it  up,  resolving  to  enjoy  the 
race,  since  he  could  not  prevent  it.     The  young  horse 
seemed  to  be  made  of  lightning,  with  bones  and  muscles 
of  brass,  for  he  bounded  untiringly  forward  for  miles, 
tossing  his  head  and  snorting  in  his  wild  career.     But 
Charley  was  a  good  horseman,  and  did  not    mind  that 
much,  being  quite  satisfied  that  the  horse  was  a  horse 
and  not  a  spirit,  and  that,  therefore,  he  could  not  run  for- 
ever.    At  last  he  approached   the   party,  in  search  of 
which  he  had  originally  set  out.     His  eyes  dilated  and 
his  color  heightened  as  he  beheld  the  wolf  running  di- 
rectly towards   him.      Fumbling   hastily  for   the  pistol 
which  he  had  borrowed  from  his  friend  Harry,  he  drew 
it  from  his  pocket,  and  prepared  to  give  the  animal  a  shot 
in  passing.     Just  at  that  moment  the  wolf  caught  sight 
of  this  new  enemy  in  advance,  and  diverged  suddenly  to 
the  left,  plunging  into  a  drift  in  his  confusion ;  and  so 
enabling  the  senior  clerk  to  overtake  him,  and  send  an 
ounce  of  heavy  shot  into  his  side,  which  turned  him  over 
quite  dead.     The  shot,  however,  had  a  double  effect.    At 
that  instant  Charley  swept  past,  and  his  mettlesome  steed 
swerved  as  it  heard  the  loud  report  of  the  gun,  thereby 
almost  unhorsing  his  rider,  and  causing  him  unintention- 


}lllv  to  fli«!ohqr<Ta    flip    rt/%n'»!'^"^'>"<^<-"   -^^   l,.,11„i-.     _1     


shot  into  the  Hank  of  Peter  Mactavish's  horse— fortu- 


!!||iip:5i| 

il     \ 

il|„Hllll|ljl 


III' 


'inii  ij : 


'  li 

I  j  r'  ill 

I    ,     I 
II:   l|  'll 


56 


SNOWFLAKKS   AND   SUNBEAMS 


nately  at  a  distance  which  rendered  the  shot  equivalent 
to  a  dozen  very  sharp  and  particularly  stinging  blows. 
On  receiving  this  unexpected  salute,  the  astonished 
charger  reared  convulsively  and  fell  back  upon  his 
rider,  who  was  thereby  buried  deep  in  the  snow,  not  a 
vestige  of  him  being  left,  no  more  than  if  he  had  never 
existed  at  all.  Indeed,  for  a  moment  it  seemed  to  be 
doubtful  whether  poor  Peter  did  exist  or  not,  until  a 
sudden  upheaving  of  the  snow  took  place,  and  his  dishev- 
elled head  appeared,  yvith  the  eyes  and  mouth  wide  open, 
bearing  on  them  an  expression  of  mingled  horror  and 
amazement.  Meanwhile,  the  second  shot  acted  like  a 
spur  on  the  young  horse,  which  flew  past  Mr.  Kennedy 
like  a  whi]*lwind. 

"  Stop,  you  young  scoundrel !  "  he  shouted,  shaking  his 
fist  at  Charley  as  he  passed. 

Charley  was  past    stopping,  either    by  inclination  or 
ability.     This  sudden  and  unexpected    accumulation  of 
disasters  was  too  much  for  him.     As  he  passed  his  sire, 
with  his  brown  curls  streaming  straight  out  behind,  and 
rhis  eyes  flashing  with  excitement,  his  teeth  clenched,  and 
his  horse  tearing  along  more  like  an  incarnate  fiend  than 
.an  animal  —  a  spirit  of  combined  recklessness,  consterna- 
.tion,  indigriation,  and  glee,  took  possession  of  him.     He 
waved  his  whip  wildly  over  his  head,  brought  it  down 
with  a  stinging  cut  on  the  horse's  neck,  and  uttered  a 
shout  of  defiance  that  threw  completely  into  the  shade 
the    loudest  war-whoop    that  was  ever   uttered   by  the 
.brazen  lungs  of  the  wildest   savage   between  Hudson's 
Bay   and   Oregon.     Seeing   and   hearing   this   old   Mr. 
Kennedy  v/heeled  about  and  dashed  off  in  pursuit  with 
much  greater  energy  than  he  had  displayed  in  chase  of 
ithe  wolf. 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


57 


Tho  race  bade  fair  to  be  a  long  one,  for  the  young  horse 
was  strong  in  wind  and  limb  ;  and  the  gray  mare,  though 
decidedly  not  "  the  better  horse,"  was  much  fresher  than 
the  other. 

The  hunters,  who  were  now  joined  by  Harry  Somer- 
ville,  did  not  feel  it  incumbent  on  them  to  follow  this  new 
chase  ;  so  they  contented  themselves  with  watching  their 
flight  towards  the  fort,  while  they  followed  at  a  more 
leisurely  pace. 

Meanwhile,  Charley  rapidly  neared  Fort  Garry  ;  and 
now  began  to  wonder  whether  the  stable  door  was  open  ; 
and,  if  so,  whether  it  were  better  for  him  to  take  his 
chance  of  getting  his  neck  broken,  or  to  throw  himself 
into  the  next  snow-drift  that  presented  itself. 

He  had  not  to  remain  long  in  suspense.      The  wooden 
fence  that  enclosed  the  stable  yard  lay  before  him.     It 
was  between  four  and  five  feet  high,  with  a  beaten  track 
running  along  the  outside,  and  a  deep  snow-drift  on  the 
other.     Charley  felt  that  the  young  horse  had  made  up 
his  mind  to  leap  this.     As  he  did  not,  at  the  moment,  see 
that  there  was  anything  better  to  be  done,  he  prepared  for 
it.    As  the  horse  bent  on  his  haunches  to  spring,  he  gave 
him  a  smart  cut  with  the  whip,  went  over  like  a  rocket,  and 
plunged  up  to  the  neck  in  the  snow-drift,  which  brought 
his  career  to  an  abrupt  conclusion.     The  sudden  stoppage 
of  the  horse  was  one  thing,  but  the  arresting  of  Master 
Charley  was  another,  and  quite  a  different  thing.     The 
instant  his  charger  landed,  he  left  the  saddle  like  a  harle- 
quin, described  an  extensive  curve  in  the  air,  and  fell 
head  foremost  into  the  drift,  above  which  his  boots  and 
three  inches  of  his  legs  alone  remained  to  tell  the  tale. 

On  witnessing  this  climax,  Mr.  Kennedy,  senior,  pulled 
up,  dismounted,  and  ran  —  with  an  expression  of  some 


.ill- 


I  i< 


m 


!      PI  ' 
( ill 

Pi 


'ill  , 


'    i 


III! 


"Ilk!; 


Iliil 


*''l  „  I 


I 


58 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


anxiety  on  his  countenance  —  to  the  help  of  his  son ; 
while  Tom  Whyte  came  out  of  the  stable  just  in  time  to 
receive  the  "  noo  'oss"  as  he  floundered  out  of  the  snow. 

"I  believe,"  said  the  groom,  as  he  surveyed  the  tremb- 
ling charger,  "  that  your  son  has  broke  the  noo  *oss,  sir, 
better  nor  I  could  'ave  done  myself." 

"  I  believe  that  my  son  has  broken  his  neck,"  said  Mr. 
Kennedy,  wrathfully.  "  Come  here  and  help  me  to  dig 
him  out." 

In  a  few  minutes  Charley  was  dug  out,  in  a  state  of 
insensibility,  and  carried  up  to  the  fort,  where  he  was 
laid  on  a  bed,  and  restoratives  actively  applied  for  his 
recovery. 


lipiii 


PETER  Mi 
I'KOMlILi 
AND    KA 

SHOE 
opei 
self  out 
influence 
ment  of 
Medic 
the  way, 
on  princ 
capable  < 
fact,  tliat 
been  tlir( 
conseque 
it  may  b( 
pany's  e 
the  shon 
third  in  '. 
available 
occur  in 
wide  ove 
miles  an 
\\  c  do  I 
no  doctoi 


exaggera 


FROM  THE  FAll  NORTH. 


59 


CHAPTER  V. 

PETER  MACTAVISn  BECOMES  AN  AMATEUR  DOCTOR;  CHARLEY 
I'KOMIJLGATES  HIS  VIEWS  OF  THINOS  IN  GENERAL  TO  KATE; 
AND    KATE    WAXES   SAGACIOUS. 


SHORTLY  after  the  catastrophe  just  related,  Charley 
opened  l»is  eyes  to  consciousness,  and  aroused  him- 
self out  of  a  prolonged  fainting  fit,  under  the  combined 
influence  of  a  strong  constitution,  and  the  medical  treat- 
ment of  his  friends. 

Medical  treatment  in  the  wilds  of  North  America,  by 
the  way,  is  very  original  in  its  chai'acter,  and  is  founded 
on  principles  so  vague,  that  no  one  has  ever  been  found 
capable  of  stating  them  clearly.  Owing  to  the  stubborn 
fact,  tiiat  there  are  no  doctors  in  the  country,  men  have 
been  thrown  upon  their  own  resources  ;  and,  as  a  natural 
consequence,  every  man  is  a  doctor.  True,  there  are  two, 
it  may  be  three,  real  doctors  in  the  Hudson's  Bay  Com- 
pany's employment ;  but,  as  one  of  these  is  resident  on 
the  shores  of  Hudson's  Bay,  another  in  Oregon,  and  a 
third  in  Red  River  Settlement,  they  are  not  considered 
available  for  every  case  of  emergency  that  may  chance  to 
occur  in  the  hundreds  of  little  outposts,  scattered  far  and 
wide  over  the  whole  continent  of  North  America,  with 
miles  and  miles  of  primeval  wilderness  between  each. 
We  do  not  think  therefore,  that  when  we  say  there  are 
no  doctors  in  the  country,  we  use  a  culpable  amount  of 


exaggeration. 


¥ 


60 


SNOWFLAKES   AND  SUNBEAMS 


!l| 


I  i 


I  i'l  I 


llii'i 
'■li!l|!;i': 


l!h  'I 


If  a  man  j»ets  ill,  he  goes  on  till  he  gets  better ;  and,  if 
he  doesn't  get  better,  he  dies.  To  avert  such  an  undesir- 
able consummation,  desperate  and  random  efforts  are 
made  in  un  amateur  way.  The  old  |)roverb  that  "  ex- 
tremes meet,"  is  verified.  And,  in  a  land  where  no  doc- 
tors are  to  be  had  for  love  or  money,  doctors  meet  you  at 
every  turn,  ready  to  practice  on  everything,  with  anything, 
and  all  for  nothing,  on  the  shortest  possible  notice.  As 
may  be  supposed,  the  practice  is  novel,  and  not  unfre- 
quently,  extremely  wild.  Tooth-drawing  is  considered 
child's  play  — mere  blacksmith's  work;  bleeding  is  a 
general  remedy  for  everything  when  all  else  fails  ;  "castor 
oil,  Epsom  salts,  and  emetics  are  the  three  key-notes,  the 
foundations,  and  the  cope-stones  of  the  system. 

In  Tied  River  there  is  only  one  genuine  doctor ;  and,  as 
the  settlement  is  fully  sixty  miles  long,  he  has  enough  to 
do,  and  cannot  always  be  found  when  wanted,  so  that 
Charley  had  to  rest  content  with  amateur  treatment  in 
the  mean  time.     Peter  Mactavish  was  the  first  to  try  his 
powers.     He  was  aware  that  laudanum  had  the  effect  of 
producing  sleep,  and,  seeing  that  Charley  looked  some- 
what sleepy  after  recovering  consciousness,  he  thought  it 
advisable  to  help  out  that  propensity  to'slumber,  and  went 
to  the  medicine-chest,  whence  he  extracted  a  small  phial 
of  tincture  of  rhubarb,    the   half  of  which  he   emptied 
into  a  wineglass,  under  the  impression  that  it  was  lauda- 
num, and  poured  down  Charley's  throat !     The  poor  boy 
swallowed  a  little,  and  sputtered  the  remainder  over  the 
bedclothes.     It  maybe  remarked"  here   that  Mactavish 
was  a  wild,  happy,  half-mad   sort   of  fellow  —  wonder- 
fully erudite  in  regard  to  some  things,  and  profoundly  ig- 
norant in  regard  to  others.     Medicine,  it  need  scarcely  be 
added,  was  not  his  forte.     Having  accomplished  this  feat 


FKOM  TIIK  FAR  NORTH. 


61 


t 


to  liis  satisfaction,  he  sat  down  to  watch  by  th(5  bedside  of 
liis  tri«;iid.  Peter  had  taken  this  opportunity  to  indulge 
in  a  little  private  practice,  just  after  several  of  the  other 
gentlemen  had  left  the  otlice  under  the  impression  that 
Charley  had  better  remaii»  quiet  for  a  short  time. 

'•  Well,  Peter,"  whispered  Mr.  Kennedy,  senior,  putting' 
his  head  in  at  the  door  (it  was  Harry's  room  in  which 
Charley  lay),  "  how  is  he  now  ?" 

''  Oh  !  doing  cai)itally,"  replied  Peter,  in  a  hoarse  wlns- 
per,  at  the  same  time  rising  and  entering  the  ollice,  while 
he  gently  closed  the  door  behind  him.  "  1  gave  him  a 
small  dose  of  physic,  which  I  think  has  done  him  "ood. 
He's  sleeping  like  a  top  now." 

Mr.  Kennedy  frowned  slightly,  and  made  one  or  two 
remarks  in  reference  to  i)hysic,  which  were  not  calculated 
to  gratify  the  ears  of  a  physician. 

'■  What  did  you  give  him  ?  "  he  inquired,  abruptly. 

"  Only  a  little  laudanum." 

"  Onhj,  indeed !  it's  all  trash  together,  and  that's  the 
worst  kind  of  trash  you  could  have  given  him. 
Humph!"  and  the  old  gentleman  jerked  his  shoulders 
testily. 

"  How  much  did  you  give  him  ?  "  said  the  senior  clerk, 
who  had  entered  the  apartment  with  Harry  a  few  min- 
utes before. 

"  Not  quite  a  wineglass  full,"  replied  Peter,  somewhat 
subdued. 

'  "A  what  ?  "  cried  the  father,  starting  from  his  chair  as 
if  he  had  received  an  electric  shock,  and  rushing  into  the 
adjoining  room,  up  and  down  which  he  raved  in  a  state 
of  distraction,  being  utterly  ignorant  of  what  should  be 
done  under  the  circumstances. 
"  Oh  dear ! "  gasped  Peter,  turning  pale  as 


: 


i  i,ii 


i 


"'1 


ill  ii 


I        .!  I 


'ii.i.i 


Mil  jlil"' 

I    : 

Ml' 


III 


ill 


I      v.'i 


62 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


Poor  Harry  Somerville  fell  rather  than  leapt  off  his 
stool,  and  dashed  into  the  bedroom,  where  old  Mr.  Ken- 
nedy was  occupied  in  alternately  heaping  unutterable 
abuse  on  the  head  of  Peter  Mactavish,  and  imploring 
him  to  advise  what  was  best  to  be  done.  But  Peter 
knew  not.  He  could  only  make  one  or  two  insane  pro- 
posals to  roll  Charley  about  the  floor,  and  see  if  that 
would  do  him  any  good  ;  while  Harry  suggested  in  des- 
peration that  he  should  be  hung  by  the  heels,  and  per- 
haps it  would  run  out ! 

Meanwhile  the  senior  clerk  seized  his  hat,  with  the  in- 
tention of  going  in  search  of  Tom  Wliyte,  and  rushed 
out  at  the  door ;  which  he  had  no  sooner  done,  than  he 
found  himself  tightly  embraced  in  the  arms  of  that  wor- 
thy, who  happened  to  be  entering  at  the  moment ;  and 
who,  in  consequence  of  the  sudden  onset,  was  pinned  up 
against  the  wall  of  the  porch. 

"Oh,  m}' buzzum!"  exclaimed  Tom,  laying  his  hand 
on  his  breast,  -  you've  a'most  bu'st  me,  sir ;  w'at's  wrong, 
sir?" 

"  Go  for  the  doctor,  Tom,  quick !  run  like  the  wind. 
Take  the  freshest  horse ;  fly  Tom,  Charley's  poisoned ; 
laudanum  —  quick !  " 

"  'Eavens  an'  'arth ! "  ejaculated  the  groom,  wheeling 
round,  and  stalking  rapidly  off  to  the  stable,  like  a  pair 
of  insane  compasses,  while  the  senior  clerk  returned  to 
the  bedroom,  where  he  found  Mr.  Kennedy  still  raving ; 
Peter  Mactavish  still  aghast  and  deadly  pale ;  and  Harry 
Somerville  staring  like  a  maniac  at  his  young  friend,  as  if 
he  expected  every  moment  to  see  him  explode,  although, 
to  all  appearance  he  was  sleeping  soundly,  and  comforta- 
bly, too.  not withstan diner  the  noise  that  was  ffoinsr  on 
around  bun.     Suddenly  Harry's  eye  rested  on  the  label 


'■'"54^. 


i  '¥n 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


63 


of  the  half-empty  phial,  and  he  uttered  a  loud,  prolonged 

cheer. 

"It's  only  tincture  of— " 

"  Wild  cats  and  furies,"  cried  Mr.  Kennedy,  turning 
sharply  round  and  seizing  Harry  by  the  collar,  "why 
d'you  kick  up  such  a  row  ?  eh ! " 

"  It's  only  tincture  of  rhubarb,"  repeated  the  boy,  dis- 
engaging himself  and  holding  up  the  phial  triumphantly. 

"So  it  is,  I  declare,"  exclaimed  Mr.  Kennedy,  in  a 
tone  that  indicated  intense  relief  of  mind ;  while  Peter 
Mactavish  uttered  a  sigh  so  deep,  that  one  might  suppose 
a  burden  of  innumerable  tons'  weight  had  just  been  re- 
moved from  his  breast. 

Charley  had  been  roused  from  his  slumbers  by  this 
last  ebullition  ;  but,  on  being  told  what  had  caused  it,  he 
turned  languidly  round  on  his  pillow  and  went  to  sleep 
again,  while  his  friends  departed  and  left  him  to  repose. 

Tom  ]^Vhyte  failed  to  find  the  doctor.  The  servant 
told  him  that  her  master  had  been  suddenly  called  to  set 
a  broken  leg  that  morning  for  a  trapper  who  lived  ten 
miles  down  the  river,  and,  on  his  return,  had  found  a 
man  waiting  with  a  horse  and  cariole,  who  carried  him 
violently  away  to  see  his  wife,  who  had  been  taken  sud- 
denly ill  at  a  house  twenty  miles  up  the  river,  and  so  she 
didn't  expect  him  back  that  night. 

"  An'  where  has  'e  been  took  to  ?  "  inquired  Tom. 

She  couldn't  tell  —  she  knew  it  was  somewhere  about 
the  White-horse  Plains,  but  she  didn't  know  more  than 
that, 

"  Did  'e  not  say  w'en  'e'd  be  *ome  ?  " 

"No,  he  didn't." 

perplexity.     "  It's  an  'orrible  case  o'  sudden  an'  onex- 
pected  pison." 


f 


64 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


1  'ii  I 


She  was  sorry  for  it,  but  couldn't  help  that ;  and  there- 
upon, bidding  him  good  morning,  shut  the  door. 

Tom's  wits  had  come  to  that  condition  which  just  pre- 
cedes "^mw^r  it  up''  as  hopeless,  when  it  occurred  to 
him  that  he  was  not  far  from  old  Mr.  Kennedy's  resi- 
dence; so  he  stepped  into  the  cariole  again  and  drove 
thither.  On  his  arrival,  he  threw  poor  Mrs.  Kennedy 
and  Kate  into  great  consternation  by  his  exceedingly 
graphic  and  more  than  slightly  exaggerated,  account  of 
what  had  brought  him  in  search  of  the  doctor.  At  first 
Mrs.  Kennedy  resolved  to  go  up  to  Fort  Garry  immedi- 
ately, but  Kate  persuaded  her  to  remain  at  home,  by 
pointing  out  that  she  could  herself  go,  and  if  anything 
very  serious  had  occurred  (which  she  didn't  believe),  Mr. 
Kennedy  could  come  down  for  her  immediately,  while 
she  (Kate)  could  remain  to  nurse  her  brother. 

In  a  few  minutes  Kate  and  Tom  were  seated  side  by 
side  in  the  little  cariole,  driving  swiftly  up  tl^e  frozen 
river,  and  two  hours  later  the  former  was  seated  by  her 
brother's  bedside,  watching  him  as  he  slept  with  a  look 
of  tender  affection  and  solicitude. 

Rousing  himself  from  his  slumbers,  Charley  looked 
vacantly  round  the  room. 

"Have  you  slept  well,  darling?"  inquired  Kate,  lay- 
ing her  hand  lightly  on  his  forehead. 

"  Slept,  eh !  O  yes,  I've  slept.  I  say,  Kate,  what  a 
precious  bump  I  came  down  on  my  head,  to  be  sure ! " 

"  Hush,  Charley ! "  said  Kate,  perceiving  that  he  was 
becoming  energetic.  "  Father  said  you  were  to  keep 
quiet  —  and  so  do  I,"  she  added  with  a  frown  —  "  shut 
your  eyes,  sir,  and  go  to  sleep." 

Charley  complied  by  shutting  his  eyes,  and  opening  his 
mouth,  and  uttering  a  succession  of  deep  snores. 


I'l.nl 


FROM  THK  FAR  NORTH. 


65 


"  Now,  you  bad  boy,"  said  Kate,  "  why  wovbt  you  try 
to  rest  ?  " 

"  Because,  Kate,  dear,"  said  Charley,  opening  his  eyes 
again,  "  because  I  feel  as  if  I  had  slept  a  week  at  least, 
and  not  being  one  of  the  seven  sleepers,  I  don't  think  it 
necesj^ary  to  do  more  in  that  way  just  now.  Besides,  my 
sweet,  but  particularly  wicked  sister,  I  wish  just  at  this 
moment  to  have  a  talk  with  you." 

"  But  are  you  sure  it  won't  do  you  harm  to  talk ;  do 
you  feel  quite  strong  enough  ?  " 
"  Quite ;  Samson  was  a  mere  infant  compared  to  me." 
"Oh!   don't  talk  nonsense,   Charley  dear,  and   keep 
your  hands  quiet,  and  don't  lift  the  clothes  with  your 
knees  in  that  way,  else  I'll  go  away  and  leave  you." 

"  Very  well,  my  pet,  if  you  do,  I'll  get  up  and  dress, 
and  follow  you,  that's  all !  But  come,  Kate,  tell  me  first 
of  all  how  it  was  that  I  got  pitched  off  that  long-legged 
rhinoceros,  and  who  it  was  that  picked  me  up,  and  why 
wasn't  I  killed,  and  how  did  I  come  here  ;  for  my  head 
is  sadly  confused,  and  I  scarcely  recollect  anything  that 
has  happened ;  and,  before  commencing  your  discourse, 
Kate,  please  hand  me  a  glass  of  water,  for  my  mouth  is- 
as  dry  as  a  whistle." 

Kate  handed  him  a  glass  of  water,  smoothed  his  pillow,, 
brushed  the  curls  gently  off  his  forehead,  and  sat  down  oni 
the  bedside. 
"  Thank  you,  Kate  — «  now  go  on." 

"  Well,  you  see,"  she  began 

"  Pardon  me,  dearest,"  interrupted  Charley,  « if  you 
would  please  to  look  at  me  you  would  observe  that  my 
two  eyes  are  tightly  closed,  so  that  I  don't  see  at  all." 
rrvii,  iiicii,  yuu  musi  understand 


Must  I.?  Oh! 


» 


i'"""    il 


,<l,.l'¥: 


I'll 


'II 


»     1 
I  i'l' 


11 
',  ii 


66 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


«  That  after  that  wicked  horse  leaped  with  you  over 
the  stable  fence,  you  were  thrown  high  into  the  air,  and 
turning  completely  round,  fell  head  foremost  into  the 
snow,  and  your  poor  head  went  through  the  top  of  an 
old  cask  that  had  been  buried  there  all  winter." 

«  Dear  me,"  ejaculated  Charley,  "  did  any  one  see  me, 

Kate  ?  " 

"Oh,  yea!" 

"  Who  ?  "  asked  Charley,  somewhat  anxiously ;  "  not 
Mrs.  Grant,  I  hope,  for  if  she  did,  she'd  never  let  me 
hear  the  last  of  it." 

"No,  only  our  father,  who  was  chasing  you  at  the 
4ime,"  replied  Kate,  with  a  merry  laugh. 

"  And  no  one  else  ?  " 

"No  —  oh,  yes !  by  the  bye,  Tom  Whyte  was  there 

too." 

"  Oh,  he's  nobody  !     Go  on." 

"  But  tell  me,  Charley,  why  do  you  care  about  Mrs. 
Grant  seeing  you  ?  " 

"  Oh !  no  reason  at  all,  only  she's  such  an  abominable 
quiz."  • 

We  must  guard  the  reader  here  against  the  supposi- 
tion that  Mrs.  Grant  was  a  quiz  of  the  ordinary  kind. 
She  was  by  no  means  a  sprightly,  clever  woman  — 
rather  fond  of  a  joke  than  otherwise  —  as  the  term 
might  lead  you  to  suppose.  Her  corporeal  frame  was 
very  large,  excessively  fat,  and  remarkably  unwieldy; 
being  an  appropriate  casket  in  which  to  enshrine  a  mind 
of  the  heaviest  and  most  sluggish  nature.  She  spoke 
little,  ate  largely,  and  slept  much,  —  the  latter  recrea- 
tion being  very  frequently  enjoyed  in  a  large  arm-chair 
of  P  np.f'.nliar  kind.  It  had  been  a  water-butt-,  which  her 
ingenious  husband  had  cut   half-way  down  the  middle, 


I 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


67 


I 


then  half-way  across,  and    in   the    angle   thus    formed 
fixed  a  bottom,  which,  together  with  the  back,  he  pad- 
ded with  tow,  and  covered  the  whole  with  a  mantle  of 
glaring  bed-curtain  chintz,  whose  pattern  alternated  in 
stripes  of  sky-blue  and  china  roses,  with  broken   frag- 
ments of  the  rainbow  between.      Notwithstanding   her 
excessive  slowness,   however,    Mrs.    Grant  was  fond  of 
taking  a  firm  hold  of  anything  or  any  circumstance  in 
the  character  or  affairs  of  her  friends,  and  twitting  them 
thereupon  in  a  grave  but  persevering  manner,  that  was 
exceedingly  irritating.      No    one    could   ever  ascertain 
whether   Mrs.   Grant  did  this  in  a  sly  way  or  not,  as 
her  visage  never  expressed  anything  except  unalterable 
good-humor.      She  was  a  good  wife  and  an  affectionate 
mother;  had  a  family  of  ten  children,  and  could   boast 
of  never  having  had  more  than  one  quarrel  with  her 
husband.     This  disagreement  was  occasioned  by  a  rather 
awkward  mischance.     One  day,  not  long  after  her  last 
baby  was  born,   Mrs.  Grant  waddled  towards   her   tub 
with  the    intention  of   enjoying  her  accustomed   siesta. 
A  few  minutes  previously,  her  seventh  child,  which  was 
just  able  to  walk,  had  scrambled  up  into  the  seat  and 
fallen  fast  asleep  there.     As  has  been  already  said,  Mrs. 
Grant's    intellect  was    never  very   bright,  and   at    this 
particular  time  she  was  rather  drowsy,  so  that  she  did 
not  observe  the  child,  and  on  reaching  h  ^v  chair,  turned 
round  preparatory 'to  letting  herself  plump  into  it.     She 
^Ixvays  plumped  into  her  chair.     Her  muscles  were  too 
soft  to  lower  her  gently  down  into  it.     Invariably,  on 
reaching  a  certain  point,  they  ceased  to  act,  and  let  her 
down  with  a  crash.     She  had  just  reached   this  point, 
and  her  baby's  hopes  and  prospects  were   on    the   eve 
of  bemg  cruelly  crushed  forever,  when  Mr.  Grant  no- 


Mi„'       I'Hii' 


ipli 


n  pi' i'i 


« 


I'L'i 


iii;!  I  II 


11 

J 
IliiPiii'iili 


i|iii 


llltil! 

iiiiii 

111  Iii 

iiiilliiiil' 


il! 


68 


SNOWFLAKES  AMD   SUNBEAMS 


ticed  the  impending  calamity.  He  had  no  time  to 
warn  her,  for  she  had  already  passed  the  point  at 
which  her  powers  of  muscular  endurance  terminated; 
so,  grasping  the  chair,  he  suddenly  withdrew  it  with 
such  force  that  the  baby  rolled  off  upon  the  floor  like 
a  hedgehog,  straightened  out  flat,  and  gave  vent  to  an 
outrageous  roar,  while  its  horror-struck  mother  came 
to  the  ground  with  a  sound  resembling  the  fall  of  an 
enormous  sack  of  wool.  Although  the  old  lady  could 
not  see  exactly  that  there  was  anything  very  blame- 
worthy in  her  husband's  conduct  upon  this  occasion, 
yet  her  nerves  had  received  so  severe  a  shock  that 
she  refused  to  be  comforted  for  two  entire  days. 

But  to  return  frovn.  this  digression.  After  Charley 
had  two  or  three  times  recommended  Kate  (who  was 
a  little  inclined  to  be  quizzical)  to  proceed,  she  con- 
tinued, — 

«  W-^ll,  then,  you  were  carried  up  here  by  father  and 
Tom  Whyte,  and  put  to  bed  ;  and  after  a  good  deal  of 
rubbing  and  rough  treatment,  you  were  got  round.  Then 
Peter  Mactavish  nearly  poisoned  you  ;  but  fortunately 
he  was  such  a  goose,  that  he  did  not  think  of  reading 
the  label  of  the  phial,  and  so  gave  you  a  dose  of  tinc- 
ture of  rhubarb  instead  of  laudanum,  as  he  had  in- 
tended ;  and  then  father  flew  into  a  passion,  and  Tom 
Whyte  was  sent  to  fetch  the  doctor,  and  couldn't  find 
him ;  but,  fortunately,  he  found  me,*  which  was  much 
better,  I  think,  and  brought  me  up  here,  and  so  here  I 
am,  and  here  I  intend  to  remain." 

«  And  so  that's  the  end  of  it.  Well,  Kate,  Fm  very 
glad  it  was  no  worse." 

//    *       T     T jI,,.,., /.^.7"  f.r.?/1     TTofo     "'it'^     orr^nhasis 

»»  jt^jlQ   i  ixiii  very  ini-;i\.j(.U^     oaivi    x».c«tA^j  ttIi**   ^--.^^>-i- — »- 

on  the  word,  "  that  it's  no  worse." 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


69 


"  Oh,  well !  you  know,  Kate,  I  meant  that,  of  course." 

«  But  you  did  not  say  it,"  replied  his  sister,  earnestly. 

"  To  be  sure  not,"  said  Charley,  gayly  ;  «  it  would  be 
absurd  to  be  always  making  solemn  speeches,  and  things 
of  that  sort,  every  time  one  has  a  little  accident." 

"  True,  Charley  ;  but   when   one  has  a  very  serious* 
accident,  and  escapes  unhurt,  don't  you  think  that  then  it 
would  be " 

"  Oh  yes,  to  be  sure  ! "  interrupted  Charley,  who  still 
strove  to  turn  Kate  from  her  serious  frame  of  mind ; 
"  but,  sister  dear,  how  could  I  possibly  say  I  was  thank- 
ful, with  my  head  crammed  into  an  old  cask  and  my  feet 
pointing  up  to  the  blue  sky  ?  eh  !  " 

Kate  smiled  at  this,  and  laid  her  hand  on  his  arm, 
while  she  bent  over  the  pillow  and  looked  tenderly  into' 
his  eyes. 

"  Oh,  my  darling  Charley !  you  are  disposed  to  jest 
about  it ;  but  I  cannot  tell  you  how  my  heart  trembled 
this  morning,  when  I  heard  from  Tom  Whyte  of  what 
had  happened.     As  we  drove  up  to  the  fort,  I  thought 
how  terrible  it  would  have  been  if  you  had  been  killed  ; 
and  then  the  happy  days  we  have  spent  together  rushed 
into  my  mind,  and  I  thought  of  the  willow  creek  where 
we  used  to  fish  for  gold-eyes,  and  the  spot  in  the  woods 
where  we  have  so  often  chased  the  little  birds ;  and  the 
lake  m  the  prairies  where  we  used  to  go  in  sprino-  to 
watch  the  waterfowl  sporting  in  the  sunshine,  — when  I 
recalled  these  things,  Charley,  and  thought  of  you   as 
J^Jead,  I  felt  as  if  I  should  die  too.     And  when  I  came 
here  and  found  that  my  fears  were  needless,  that  you 
were  alive  and  safe,  and  almost  well,  I  felt  thankful  — 
yes,  very,  very  thankful  —  to  God,  for  sparin-  your  life 
'ny  dear,  dear  Charley."    And  Kate  laid  her  head  on  his 


70 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


i!  Pi 


'    H\ 


i;i 


M\ 


bosom  and  sobbed,  when  she  thought  of  what  might  have 
been,  as  if  her  very  heart  would  break. 

Charley's  disposition  to  levity  entirely  vanished  while 
his  sister  spoke  ;  and  twining  his  tough  little  arm  round 
her  neek,  he  pressed  her  fervently  to  his  heart. 

«  Bless,  you,  Kate,"  he  said  at  length.  "  I  am  indeed 
thankful  to  God,  not  only  for  sparing  my  life,  but  for 
giving  me  such  a  darling  sister  to  live  for.  But  now, 
Kate,  tell  me,  what  do  you  think  of  father's  determina- 
tion to  have  me  placed  in  the  olUce  here  ?  " 

"  Indeed,  I  think  it's  very  hard.  Oh,  I  do  wish  so 
much  that  I  could  do  it  for  you,"   said   Kate,  with  a 

sigh. 

"  Do  what  for  me  ?  "  asked  Charley. 

"  "Why,  the  office  work,"  said  Kate. 

"  Tuts  !  fiddlesticks  !  But  isn't  it,  now,  really  a  very 
hard  case  ?  " 

"  Indeed  it  is  ;  but,  then,  what  can  you  do  ?  " 

"  Do  ?  "  said  Charley,  impatiently  ;  "  run  away,  to  be 

sure." 

"  Oh,  don't  speak  of  that ! "  said  Kate,  anxiously. 
«  You  know  it  will  kill  our  beloved  mother  ;  and  then  it 
would  grieve  father  very  much." 

"Well,  father  don't  care  much  about  grieving  me, 
when  he  hunted  me  down  like  a  wolf  till  I  nearly  broke 
my  neck." 

"  Now,  Charley,  you  must  not  speak  so.  Father  loves 
you  tenderly,  although  he  is  a  little  rough  at  times.  If 
you  only  heard  how  kindly  he  speaks  of  you  to  our 
mother  when  you  are  away,  you  could  not  think  of  giv- 
ing him  so  much  pain.  And  then,  the  Bible  says,  '  Honor 
thy  father  and  thy  mother,  that  thy  days  may  be  long  in 
the  land  which  the  Lord  thy  God  giveth  thee  ; '  and,  as 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


71 


God  speaks  in  the  Bible,  surely  we  should  pay  attention 
to  it  !  " 

Charley  was  silent  for  a  few  seconds  ;  then,  heavin-  a 
deep  sigh,  he  said,  —  ® 

"  Well,  I  believe  you're  right.  Kate ;  but  then,  what 
am  I  to  do  ?  If  I  don't  run  away,  I  must  live,  like  poor 
Harry  Soinerville,  on  a  long-legged  stool ;  and  if  I  do 
that,  I'll  -—  I'll » 

As  Charley  spoke,  the  door  opened,  and  his  father 
entered. 

"  Well,  my  boy,"  said  he,  seating  himself  on  the  bed- 
side,  and  taking  his  son's  hand,  "  how  goes  it  now  ? 
Head  getting  all  right  again  ?  I  fear  that  Kate  has  been 
talking  too  much  to  you.      Is  it  so,  you  little  chatter- 

box  ?  " 

Mr.  Kennedy  parted  Kate's  clustering  ringlets,  and 
kissed  her  forehead. 

Charley  assured  his  father  that  he  was  almost  well,  and 
mudi  the  better  of  having  Kate  to  ter.d  him.  In  fact,  he 
felt  so  much  revived,  that  he  said  he  would  get  up  and 
go  out  for  a  walk.  ^ 

"  Had  I  not  better  tell  Tom  Whyte  to  saddle  the  young 
horse  for  you?"  said  his  father,  half  ironically.  «  No 
no,  boy,  lie  still  where  you  are  to-day,  and  get  up  if  yoj 
feel  better  to-morrow.  In  the  mean  time,  I've  come  to. 
say  good-bye,  as  I  intend  to  go  home  to  relieve  your 
mother's  anxiety  about  you.  I'll  see  you  again,  prob- 
ab  y,  the  day  after  to-morrow.  Hark  you,  boy  ;  I've  been, 
talking  your  affairs  over  again  with  Mr.  Grant,  and 
weve  come  to  the  conclusion  to  give  you  a  run  In  the- 
woods  for  a  time.  You'll  have  to  be  ready  to  start 
earV  in  spring  with  the  first  brigades  for  the  North.  So. 
adieu ! " 


Ir. 


.  ^M. 


\m 


'  il'l 


m 


M    'iill 


'  II I  ml  III 

Ml 


I 


llili:i.|| 


72 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


Mr.  Kennedy  patted  him  on  the  head,  and  hastily  left 

the  room. 

A  burning  blush  of  shame  arose  on  Charley's  cheek 
as  he  recollected  his  lat«  ••e•nilrk^>  ybout  his  father  ;  and 
then,  recalling  the  purport  of  liib  last  words,  he  sent  forth 
an  exulting  siiout  as  he  thought  of  the  coming  spring. 

"  Well,  now,  Charley,"  said  Kate,  with  an  arch  smile, 
"  let  us  talk  seriously  over  your  arran<rements  for  run- 
ning away." 

Charley  replied  by  seizing  the  pillow  and  throwing 
it  at  his  sister's  head  ;  but,  being  accustomed  to  such 
eccentricities,  she  anticipated  the  movement  and  evaded 
the  blow. 

"  Ah !  Charley,"  cried  Kate,  laughing,  "  you  mustn't 
let  your  hand  get  out  of  practice !  That  was  a  shock- 
ingly bad  shot  for  a  man  thirsting  to  become  a  bear  and 
buffalo  hunter ! " 

"  I'll  make  my  fortune  at  once,"  cried  Charley,  as 
Kate  replaced  the  pillow,  "  build  a  wooden  castle  on  the 
shores  of  Great  Bear  Lake,  take  you  to  keep  house  for 
me,  and,  when  I'm  out  hunting,  you'll  fish  for  whales 
in  the  lake,  and  we'll  live  there  to  a  good  old  age  ;  so 
good  night,  Kate,  dear,  and  go  to  bed ! " 

Kate  laughed,  gave  her  brother  a  parting  kiss,  and 
left  him. 


Willi; 


iiliilljp! 
lililll  i 


FBOM  THE  FAH  NORTH. 


78 


CIIAPTEll    VI. 


SPRING  AND  THE    VOYAGEURS. 

TT^INTER,  with  its  snow  and  its  ice ;  winter,  with 
*▼     its  sharp  winds  nnd  white  drifts;  winter,  with  its 

various  characteristicj   occupations  and  employments,  is 

past,  and  it  is  spring  now. 
The  sun  no   longer  glitters  on  fields  of   white;    the 

woodman's  axe  is  no  longer    heard  hacking  the  oaken 
billets,  to  keep  alive  the  roaring  fires.     That  inexpressi- 
bly cheerful  sound,  the  merry  chime  of  sleigh-bells,  that 
tells  more  of  winter  than  all  other  sounds  together,  is  no 
longer  heard  on  the  bosom  of  Red  River,  for  the  sleighs 
are  thrown  aside  as  useless  lumber  —  carts  and  gigs  have 
supplanted  them.     The  old  Canadian,  who  used  to  drive 
the  ox  with  its  water-barrel  to  the  ice-hole  for  his  daily 
supply,  has  substituted  a  small  cart  with  wheels  for  the 
old  sleigh  that  used  to  glide  so  smoothly  over  the  snow, 
and  grit  so  sharply  on  it  in  the  more  than  usually  frosty 
mornings  in  the  days  ^  me  by.     The  trees  have  lost  their 
white  patches,  and  the  clumps  of  willows,  that  used  to  look 
hke  islands  in  the  prairie,  have  disappeared,  as  the  carpet- 
ing that  gave  them  prominence  has  dissolved.    The  aspect 
of  everything   in   the   isolated   settlement  has  changed. 

Ihe  winter  is  crnnp   q.n/1  or»T.i"nr,        K».:~i,i.  i i-^"  i  i  -i 

-  c — 1  '^"•'  -pi^^o  —  wtij^iii,  uuuuiirui,  niian- 

ous  spring  —  has  come  again. 


74 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


wm 


!i 


I 


liiii. 


By  those  who  have  never  known  an  arctic  winter,  the 
deh'ghts  of  an  arctic  spring  can  never,  we  fear,  be  fully 
appreciated    or    understood.      Cor.trast    is    one   of    its 
strongest  elements  ;  indeed,  we  might  say,  (he  element 
which    gives  to  all  the  others    peculiar  zest.      Life    in 
the  arctic  regions  is    like  one  of  Turner's  pictures,   in 
which  the  lights  are  strong,  the  shadows  deep,  and  the 
tout-ensemble  hazy  and  romantic.     So  cold  and  prolon-ed 
IS  the  winter,  that  the  first  mild  breath  of  spring  breaks 
on  the  senses  like  a  zephyr  from  the  plains  of  paradise, 
li^verything  bursts  suddenly  into  vigorous  life,  after  the 
long  deathlike  sleep  of  Nature ;  as  little  children  burst 
into  the  romping  gayeties  of  a  new  day,  after  the  deep 
repose  of  a  long  and  tranquil  night.     The  snow  melts, 
the  ice  breaks  up,  and  rushes  \n  broken  masses,  heav- 
ing and  tossing   in    the    rising    floods,    that    grind   and 
whirl  them   into  the  ocean,  or   into  those   great   fresh- 
water lakes  that  vie  with  ocean  itself  in  magnitude  and 
grandeur.     The  buds  come  out  and  the  leaves  appear, 
clothing  all  nature  with  a  bright  refreshing  green,  which 
derives  additional  brilliancy  from  sundry  patches  of  snow, 
that  fill  the  deep  creeks  and  hollows  everywhere,  and 
form  ephemeral  fountains  whose  waters  continue  to  sup- 
ply a  thousand  rills  for  many  a  long  day,  until  the  fierce 
glare  of  the  summer  sun  prevails  at  last  and  melts  them 
all  away. 

Red  River  flows  on  now  to  mix  its  long  pent-up  waters 
with  Lake  Winnipeg.  Boats  are  seen  rowing  about  upon 
Its  waters,  as  the  settlers  travel  from  place  to  place; 
and  wooden  canoes,  made  of  the  hollowed-out  trunks 
of  large  trees,  shoot  across  from  shore  to  shore,  —  these 
canoes  being  a  substitute  for  bridges,  of  which  there 
are  none,  although  the  settlement  lies  on  both  sides  of 


FROM  THE  FAU  NOKTII. 


75 


the  river.      Birds    have    now  enterecl    upon  the  scene, 
their  wild  cries  and  cea.seiess  fiiglit  adding'  to  it  a  cheer- 
ful activity.     Ground  scjuirrels  pop  up  out  of  their  holes, 
to  ba>k  their  round,  fat,  beautifully-striped  little  bodies' 
^  in  the  sun,  or  to  gaze  in  admiration  at  the  farmer,  as  he 
urges  a  pair  of  very  slow-going  oxen,  that  drag  the  plough 
at  a  pace  which    induces  one  to  believe  that  the  wide 
field  may  possibly   be  ploughed  up  by  the  end  of  next 
year.     Frogs  whistle  in  the  marshy  grounds  so  loudly, 
that  men  new  to    the    country  believe    they  are  being' 
regaled  by  the  sojigs  of  millions  of  birds.     There  is  no 
mistake  about  their  whistle.   It  is  not  merely  like  a  whistle, 
but  it  is  a  whistle,  shrill  and  continuous ;  and,  as  the 
swamps    swarm    with    these    creatures,  the  song  never 
ceases  for  a  moment,  although  each  individual  frog^creates 
only  one  little  gush  of  music,  composed  of  half-a-dozen 
trills,  and  tlum  stops  a  moment  for  breath  before  com- 
mencing the  second  bar.     Bull-frogs,  too,  though  not  so 
numerous,  help  to  vary  the  sound  by  croaking  vocifer- 
ously, as  if  they  understood  the  value  of  bass,  and  were 
glad  of  having  an  opportunity  to  join  in  the  universal 
hum  of  life  and  joy  which  rises  everywhere,  from   the 
river  and  the  swamp,  the  forest  and  the  prairie,  to  wel- 
come back  the  spring. 

Such  was  the  state  of  things  in  Red  River  one  beauti- 
ful morning  in  April,  when  a  band  oi voyageursloxxng^^ 
in  scattered  groups  about  the  front  gate  of  Fort  Garry. 
They  were  as  fine  a  set  of  picturesque  manly  fellows 
as  one  could  desire  to  see.  Their  mode  of  life  ren- 
dered them  healthy,  hardy,  and  good-humored,  with  a 
strong  dash  of  recklessness  —  perhaps  too  much  of  it 
—  in  some  of  the  younger  men.  Being  descended,  gen- 
erally, from  French-Canadian   sires  and  Indian   moth- 


'""I 

m 


■ 


.  nil  I! 


1'' 
M 


m4'i 


lilllif 


I         ll. 


''iiiiil'yjl 


Hililto|ii||'i 


!!|i! 


mm 


III  r 


^11 

'.'Ml 

iii    !!. 


iiiil! 


|ii!H 


76 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


.ers,  they  united  some  of  the  good,  and  not  a  few  of 
the  bad,  qualities  of  both,  mentally  as  well  as  physi- 
cally ;  combining  the  light,  gay-hearted  spirit,  and  full 
muscular  frame  of  the  Canadian,  with  the  fierce  pas- 
sions and  active  habits  of  the  Indian.  And  this  wild- 
ness  of  disposition  was  not  a  little  fostered  by  the 
nature  of  their  usual  occupations.  They  were  era- 
ployed  during  a  great  part  of  the  year  in  navigating  the 
Hudson's  Bay  Company's  boats,  laden  with  furs  and 
goods,  through  the  labyrinth  of  rivers  and  lakes  that 
stud  and  intersect  the  whole  continent,  or  they  were 
engvged  in  pursuit  of  the  bisons,*  which  roam  the  prai- 
ries in  vast  herds. 

They  were  dressed  in  the  costume  of  the  country ; 
most  of  them  wore  light-blue  cloth  capotes,  girded  tightly 
round  them  by  scarlet  or  crimson  worsted  belts.  Some 
of  them  had  blue,  and  others  scarlet  cloth  leggins,  orna- 
mented more  or  less  with  stained  porcupine  quills, 
colored  silk,  or  variegated  beads;  while  some  might  be 
seen  clad  in  the  leathern  coats  of  winter,  —  deer-skin 
dressed  hke  chamois  leather,  fringed  all  round  with  little 
tails,  and  ornamented  much  in  the  same  way  as  those  al- 
ready described.  The  heavy  winter  moccasons  and  duffle 
socks,  which  gave  to  their  feet  the  appearance  of  being 
afflicted  with  gout,  were  now  replaced  by  moccasons  of  a 
lighter  and  more  elegant  character,  having  no  socks  below, 
and  fitting  tightly  to  the  feet  like  gloves.  Some  wore 
hats  similar  to  those  made  of  silk  or  beaver,  M^hich  are 
worn  by  ourselves  in  Britain,  but  so  bedizened  with  scar- 
let cock-tail  feathers,  and  silver  cords  and  tassels,  as  to 
leave  the  original  form  of  the  head-dress  a  matter  of  great 

*  These  animals  are  always  called  buffaloes  by  American  hunters 
and  fur  traders. 


,    , 

!■  .:.:;.iiN 

q 

1  i 
1  L 

1 

FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


77 


uncertainty.     These  hats,  however,  are  only  used  on  hicrh 
occasions,  and   chiefly  by  the  fops.     Most  of  the  men 
wore  coarse  blue  cloth  caps  with  peaks,  and  not  a  few 
discarded,  headpieces  altogether,  under  the    impression 
apparently,  that  nature  had  supplied  a  coverin-,  which 
was  in  itself  sufficient.     These  costumes  varied  not  only 
in   character   but   in   quality,  according  to  the  circum 
stances  of  the  wearer ;  some  being  highly  ornamental 
and  mended  —  evmdng  the  felicity  of  the  owner  in  the 
possession  of  a  good  wife  —  while  others  were  soiled  and 
torn,  or  but  slightly  ornamented.     The  voijageurs  were 
collected,  as  we   have   said,   in  groups.     Here  stood  a 
dozen  of  the  youngest,  —  consequently  the   most  noisy 
and  showily  dressed,  _  laughing  loudly,  gesticulating  vio- 
.ently,  and  bragging  tremendously.     Near  to  them  were 
collected  a  number  of  sterner  spirits  — men  of  middle  a,^e 
-with  all  the  energy,  and  muscle,  and  bone  of  youth  but 
without  Its  swaggering  hilarity,  -  men  whose  powers  and 
nerves  had  been  tried  over  and  over  again  amid  the  stir- 
ring scenes  of  a  vo„eur^s  life ;  men  whose  heads  were 
cool,  and  eyes  sharp,  and  hands  ready  and  powerful,  in  the 
mad  whn-1  of  boiling  rapids,  in  the  sudden  attack  of  wild 
beast  and  hostile  man,  or  in  the  unexpected  approach  of 
any  danger;  men  who,  having  been  well  tried,  needed 
not  to   boast,  and  who,  having  carried  off  triumphantly 
cheir  respective  brides  many  years  ago,  needed  not  to 
decorate  their  persons  with  the  absurd  finery  that  char- 
acterized their  younger  brethren.     They  were  compara- 
tively few  m  number,  but  they  composed  a  sterling  band, 
0    which  every  man  was  a  hero.     Among  them   were 
those  who  occupied  the  high  positions  of  bowman  and      " 
steersman;  and  when  we  tell  the  reader  that  on  these 
two  men  frequently  hangs  the  safety  of  a  boat,  with  all 


iiii 


"iiil  i 
I  I 


II: 


iiiiiii'j 
J  1 1! 


I'    \¥> 


'I'll  INI 

I'',  l! 


(      ' 


III.  J     'i>li!| 


'Pr'lil 
i.iiiiiiii 


18111(1111  III 


78 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


its  crew  and  lading,  it  will  be  easily  understood  how 
needful  it  is  that  they  should  be  men  of  iron  nerve  .and 
strength  of  mind. 

Boat-traveiling  in  those  regions  is  conducted  in  a  way 
that  would  astonish  most  people  who  dwell  in  the  civilized 
quarters  of  the  globe.  The  country  being  intersected  in 
all  directions  by  great  lakes  and  rivers,  these  have  been 
adopted  as  the  most  convenient  highways,  along  which  to 
convey  the  supplier  and  bring  back  the  furs  from  out- 
posts. Rivers  '".^  .<i..nerica,  however,  as  in  other  parts  of 
the  world,  are  distinguished  by  sudden  ebullitions  and 
turbulent  points  of  character,  in  the  shape  of  rapids,  falls, 
and  cataracts,  up  and  down  which  neither  men  nor  boats 
can  by  any  possibility  go  with  impunity ;  consequently, 
on  arriving  at  such  obstructions,  the  cargoes  are  carried 
overland  to  navigable  water  above  or  below  the  falls,  (as 
the  case  may  be,)  then  the  boats  are  dragged  over  and 
launched,  again  reloaded,  and  the  travellers  proceed. 
This  operation  is  called  "  making  a  portage  ; "  and  as 
these  portages  vary  from  twelve  yards  to  twelve  miles  in 
length,  it  may  be  readily  conceived  that  a  voyageur's  life 
is  not  an  easy  one  by  any  means. 

This,  however,  is  only  one  of  his  difficulties.  Rapids 
occur  which  are  not  so  dangerous  as  to  make  a  "  port- 
age "  necessary,  but  are  sufficiently  turbulent  to  render 
the  descent  of  them  perilous.  In  such  cases,  the  boats, 
being  lightened  of  part  of  their  cargo,  are  run  down,  and 
frequently  they  descend  with  full  cargoes  and  crews.  It 
is  then  that  the  whole  management  of  each  boat  devolves 
upon  its  bowman  and  steersman.  The  rest  of  the  crew, 
or  middlemen  as  they  are  called,  merely  sit  still  and  look 
on,  or  give  a  stroke  with  their  oars  if  required ;  while 
the  steersman,  with  powerful  sweeps  of  his  heavy  oar, 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH.  79 

directs  the  flying  boat  as  it  bounds  from  surge  to  surc^e 
like  a  thing  oflife;  and  the  bowman  stands  erect  in  front 
to  assist  in  directing  his  comrarle  at  the  stern,  having 
a  strong  and  long  pole  in  his  hands,  with  which,  ever 
and  anon,  he  violently  forces  the  boat's  head  awaj  from 
sunken  rocks,  against  which  it  might  otherwise  strike  and 
be  stove  m,  capsized,  or  seriously  damaged. 

Besides  the  groups  already  enumerated,   there   were 
one  or  two  others,  composed  of  grave,  elderlv  men,  whoso 
wnnkled  brows,  gray  hairs,  and  slow,  quiet 'step,  showed 
that  the  strength  of  their  days  was  past;  although  their  up- 
right figures  and  warm  brown  complexions  ^   ,e  promise 
of  their  living  to  see  many  summers  still.     These  were 
the  principal  steersmen  and  old  guides -men  of  renown 
to  whom  the  others  bowed  as  oracles,  or  looked  up  as 
fathers ;  men  whose  youth  and  manhood  had  been  spent 
m  roammg  the  trackless  wilderness,  and  who  were  there- 
fore, eminently  qualified  to  guide  brigades  throu'-h  the 
length  and  breadth  of  the  land;  men   whose  power  of 
threadmg  their  way  among  the  perplexing  intricacies  of 
the  forest  had  become  a  second  nature,  a  kind  of  instinct 
that  was  as  sure  of  attaining  its  end  as  the  instinct  of  the' 
leathered  tribes,  which  brings  the  swallow,  after  a  long 
absence,  with  unerring  certainty  back  to  its  former  haunts 
again  in  spring. 


'  :  ;  ii. 

; 

t 

1 

ii!ii;ii 


;;i 


■I 


80 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


CHAPTER  Vll. 

-JIIE  STORE. 

AT  whatever  establishment    in    the  fur  trader's  do- 
minions you  may  chance  to  alight,  you   will  find 
a  particular  building  which  is  surrounded  by  a  halo  of 
interest;   towards  which    there    seems  to  be  a  general 
leaning  on  the  part  of  everybody,  especially  of  the  In- 
dians, and  with  which  are  connected,  in  the  minds  of  all, 
the  most  stirring  reminiscences  and  pleasing  associations. 
This  is  the  trading  store.     It  is  always  recognizable, 
if  natives  are  in  the  neighborhood,  by  the  bevy  of  red 
men  that  cluster  round  it,  awaiting  the  coming  of  the 
storekeeper  or  the  trader  with  that  stoic  patience  whicli 
is  peculiar  to  Indians.     It  may  be  further  recognized,  by 
a  close  observer,  by  the  soiled  condition  of  its  walls,  oc- 
casioned by  loungers  rubbing   their   backs   perpetually 
against  it,  and  the  peculiar  dinginess  round  the  keyhole, 
caused  by  frequent  applications  of  the  key,  which  renders 
it  conspicuous  beyond  all  its  comrades.  Here  is  contained 
that  which  makes  the  red  man's  life   enjoyable;   that 
which  causes  his  heart  to  leap,  and  induces  him  to  toil 
for  months  and  months  together  in  the  heat  of  summer 
and  amid  the  frost  and  snow  of  winter ;  that  which  actually 
accomplishes,  what  music  is  said  to  achieve,  the  "  sooth- 
ing of  the  savage  breast ; "   in  short,  here   are  stored  up 
blankets,  guns,  powder,  shot,  kettles,  axes,  and  knives; 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


81 


twine  for  nets,  vermilion  for  war-paint,  fish-hooks  and 
scalping  knives,  capotes,  cloth,  beads,  needles,  and  a  host 
of  miscellaneous  articles,  much  too  numerous  to  mention. 
Here,  also,  occur  periodical  scenes  of  bustle  and  excite- 
ment, when  bands  of  natives  arrive  from  distant  hunting- 
grounds,  laden  with  rich  furs,  which  are  speedily  trans- 
ferred to    the   Hudson's  Bay   Company's  stores  in  ex- 
change for  the  goods  aforementioned.    And  many  a  tough 
wrangle  has   the  trader  on    such    occasions  with  sharp 
natives,  who  might  have  graduated  in  Billingsgate  —  so 
close  are  they  at  a  bargain.     Here,  too,  voyageurs  are 
suppHed  with  an  equivalent  for  their  wages,  part  in  ad- 
vance, if  they  desire  it,  (and  thej  generally  do  desire  it,) 
and  part  At  the  conclusion   of  their  long  and  arduous 
voyages. 

It  is  to  one  of  these  stores,  reader,  that  we  wish  to  in- 
troduce you  now,  that  you  may  witness  the  men  of  the 
North  brigade  receive  their  advances. 

The  store  at  Fort  Garry  stands  on  the  right  of  the 
fort  as  you  enter  by  the  front  gate.  Its  interior  resem- 
bles that  of  the  other  stores  in  the  country,  b  Jng  only  a 
litde  larger.  A  counter  encloses  a  space  sufficiently  wide 
to  admit  a  dozen  men,  and  serves  to  keep  back  those  who 
are  more  eager  than  the  rest.  Inside  this  counter,  at  the 
time  we  write  of,  stood  -r  friend  Peter  Mactavish,  who 
was  the  presiding  genius  of  the  scene. 

"  Shut  the  door  now,  and  lock  it,"  said  Peter,  in  an 
authoritative  tone,  after  eight  or  ten  young  voyageurs  had 
crushed  into  the  space  in  ^rt^r^  of  the  counter.  « I'll  not 
supply  you  with  so  much  .3  ;'..  ounce  of  tobacco,  if  you 
let  in  another  man." 

Peter  needed  not  to  repeat  the  command.  Three  or 
four  stalwart  shoulders  were  applied  to  the  door,  which 


82 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


'I  lih 

M\\\\\ 


'i 

■  r; 
'■!'■' 

:■ 

i 

i 
! 

|i 

1 
1 

ahut,  with  a  bang  like  a  cannon-shot,  and  the  key  was 

turned.  \ 

«  Come,  now,  Antoine,"  began  the  trader,  «  we've  lots 
to  do,  and  not  much  time  to  do  it  in,  so  pray  look  sharp." 
Antoine,  however,  was  not  to  be  urged  on  so  easily. 
He  had  been  meditating  deeply  all  the  morning  on  what 
he  should  purchase.     Moreover,  he  had  a  sweetheart; 
and  of  course  he  had  to  buy  something  for  her,  before 
setting  out  on  his  travels.     Besides,  Antoine  was  six  feet 
high,  and  broad-shouldered,  and  well  made,  with  a  dark 
face  and  glossy  black  hair ;  and  he  entertamed  a  notion 
that  there  were  one  or  two  points  in  his  costume  which 
required  to  be  carefully  rectified,  ere  he  could  consider 
that  he  had  atteined  to  perfection ;   so  he  brushed  the 
long  hair  off  his  for^b.ead,  crossed  his  arms,  and  gazed 
around  him. 

«  Come,  now,  Antoine,"  said  Peter,  throwing  a  green 
blanket  at  him,  "I  know  you  want  that  to  begin  with. 
What's  the  use  of  thinking  so  long  about  it?  — eh? 
And  that,  too,"  he  added,  throwing  him  a  blue  cloth  ca- 
pote.     "  Anything  else  ?  " 

"  Qui,  oui,  monsieur,"  cried  Antoine,  as  he  disengaged 
himself  from  the  folds  of  the  coat  which  Peter  had 
thrown  over  his  head.     "  Tabac,  monsieur,  tabac  !  " 

«  Oh,  to  be  sure,"  cried  Peter.  ''  I  might  have  guessed 
that  that  was  uppermost  in  your  mind.  Well,  how  mucli 
will  you  have?"  Peter  began  to  unwind  the  fragrant 
weed  off  a  coil  of  most  appalling  size  and  thickness,  which 
looked  like  a  snake  of  endless  length.  "  Will  that  do?" 
and  he  flourished  about  four  feet  of  the  snake  before  the 
eyes  of  the  voyageur. 

Antoine  accepted  the  quantity  ;  and  young  Harry 
Somerville  entered  the  articles  against  him  in  a  book. 


FKOM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


83 


'''  Anything  more,  Antoine  ?  "  said  the  trader.  «  Ah, 
some  beads,  and  silks !  —  eh  !  Oho,  Antoine !  By  the 
way,  Louis,  have  you  seen  Annette  lately  ?  " 

Peter  turned  to  another  voyageur  when  he  put  this 
question,  and  the  voyageur  gave  a  broad  grin  as  he  re- 
plied in  the  affirmative;  while  Antoine  looked  a  little 
confused.  He  did  not  care  much,  however,  for  jestino. 
So,  after  getting  one  or  two  more  articles,  —  not  for- 
getting half-a-dozen  clay  pipes,  and  a  few  yards  of  gaudy 
calico,  which  called  forth  from  Peter  a  second  reference 
to  Annette,  — he  bundled  up  his  goods,  and  made  way 
for  another  comrade. 

Louis  Peltier,  one  of  the  principal  guides,  and  a  man 
of  importance,  therefore,  now  stood  forward.     He  was 
probably  about  forty-five  years  of  age  ;  had  a  plain,  oHtc- 
colored  countenance,  surrounded  by  a  mass  of  long,  jet- 
black  hair,  which  he  inherited,  along  witli  a  pair  of  dark, 
piercing  eyes,  from  his  Indian  mother;   and  a  robust, 
heavy,  yet  active  frame,  which  bore  a  strong  resemblance 
to  wh -this  Canadian  father's  had  been  many  years  be- 
fore.    His  arms,  in  particular,  were  of  herculean  mould, 
with  large  swelling  veins,  and  strongly-marked  muscles. 
They  seemed,  in  fact,  just  formed  for  the  purpose  of  pull- 
ing the  heavy  sweep  of  an  inland  boat  among  strong  rap- 
ids.    His  face  combined  an  expression  of  stern  resolution 
with  great  good-humor ;  and  truly,  his  countenance  did 
not  belie  him,  for  he  was  known  among  his  comrades  as 
the  most  courageous,  and,  at  the  same  time,  the  most 
peaceable  man  in  the  settlement.     Louis  Peltier  was  sin- 
gular in  possessing  the  latter  quality,  for  assuredly,  the 
half-breeds —- whatever  other  good  points  they  boast  — 
cannot  lay  claim  to  very  gentle  or  dovelike  dispositions. 
His  gray  capote  and  blue  leggins  were  decorated  with 


lUlili 


illUllil 


84 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


no  unusual  ornaments,  and  the  scarlet  belt  which  encir- 
cled his  massive  figure  was  the  only  bit  of  color  he  dis- 
played. 

The  younger  men  fell  respectfully  into  the  rear,  as 
Louis  stepped  forward,  and  begged  pardon  for  coming  so 
early  in  the  day.  "  Mais,  monsieur,"  he  said,  "  I  have  to 
look  after  the  boats  to-day,  and  get  them  ready  for  a  start 

to-morrow." 

Peter  Mactavish  gave  Louis  a  hearty  shake  of  the 
hand  before  proceeding  to  supply  his  wants,  which  were 
simple  and  moderate,  excepting  in  the  article  of  tohac^  in 
the  use  of  which  he  was  mmoderate  —  being  an  invet- 
erate smoker ;  so  that  a  considerable  portion  of  the  snake 
had  to  be  uncoiled  for  his  benefit. 

*'  Fond  as  ever  of  smoking,  Louis,"  said  Peter  Mac- 
tavish, as  he  handed  him  the  coil. 

"Oui,  monsieur— very  fond,"  answered  the  guide, 
smeUing  the  weed.  "  Ah,  this  is  very  good.  I  must 
take  a  good  supply  this  voyage,  because  I  lost  the  half  of 
my  roll  last  year;"  and  the  guide  gave  a  sigh  as  he 
thought  of  the  overwhelming  bereavement. 

"  Lost  the  half  of  it,  Louis ! "  said  Mactavish.  "  Why, 
how  was  that?  You  must  have  lost  more  than  half  your 
spirits  with  it ! " 

"  Ah !  oui,  I  lost  all  my  spirits,  and  my  comrade  Fran- 

gois  at  the  same  time ! " 

"  Dear  me ! "  exclaimed  the  clerk,  bustling  about  the 
store,  while  the  guide  continued  to  talk. 

"  Oui,  monsieur  —  oui.  I  lost  him,  and  my  tabac,  and 
my  spirits,  and  very  nearly  my  life,  all  in  one  moment ! " 

«  Why !  —  how  came  that  about,"  said  Peter,  pausing 
in  his  work,  and  laying  a  handful  of  pipes  on  the  counter. 

"  Ah !   monsieur,  it  was  very  sad,  (merci,  monsieur, 


voyafje. 

Tlie  I 
alluded  t 
but  were 
loudly  at 
story  to 
operatior 
said,  — 

"Tell 
how  you 
time." 

"  Bien 
very  shoi 

Harry 
Louis's  I 
when  L( 
the  men 
his  pen,  s 
jumped  I 
with  brea 

"  It  wa 
were  des( 
where  th 
three  gre 
it  plungei 


FROM  THE   FAR  NORTH. 


80 


mere),  thirty  pipes,  if  you  please,)  and  I  thought  at  the 
time  tlmt  I  should  give  up  my  voyageur  life,  and  remain 
altogether  in  the  settlement  with  my  old  woman.  Mais 
monsieur,  that  was  not  possible.  When  I  spoke  of 
it  to  my  old  woman,  she  called  me  an  old  woman; 
and,  you  know,  monsieur,  that  two  old  women  never 
could  live  together  in  peace  for  twelve  months  under  the 
same  roof.  So  here  I  am,  you  see,  ready  again  for  the 
voyage." 

The  voyageurs,  who  had  drawn  round  Louis  when  he 
alluded  to  an  anecdote  which  they  had  often  heard  before, 
but  were  never  weary  of  hearing  over  again,  laughed 
loudly  at  this  sally,  and  urged  the  guide  to  relate  the 
story  to  "  monsieur,''  who,  nothing  loath  to  suspend  his 
operations  for  a  little,  leaned  his  arms  on  the  counter,  and 
saitl,  — 

"  Tell  us  all  about  it,  Louis ;  I  am  anxious  to  know 
how  you  managed  to  come  by  so  many  losses  all  at  one 
time." 

"  Bien,  monsieur,  I  shall  soon  relate  it,  for  the  story  is 
very  short." 

Harry  Somerville,  who  was  entering  the  pipes  in 
Louis's  account,  had  just  sat  down  the  figures  "30," 
when  Louis  cleared  his  throat  to  begin.  Not  having 
the  mental  fortitude  to  finish  the  line,  he  dropped 
his  pen,  sprang  oflf  his  stool,  which  he  upset  in  so  doing, 
jumped  up,  sitting-ways,  upon  the  counter,  and  gazed 
with  breathless  interest  into  the  guide's  fece  as  he  spoke. 

"  It  was  on  a  cold,  wet  afternoon,"  said  Louis,  "  that  we 
were  descending  the  Hill  River,  at  a  part  of  the  rapids 
where  there  is  a  sharp  bend  in  the  stream,  and  two  or 
three  great  rocks  that  stand  up  in  front  of  the  water,  as 
it  plunges  over  a  ledge,  as  if  they  were  put  there  a'  pur- 


86 


SNOWFLAKES  AND   SUNBEAMS 


m 


m 


iiiiiii 


^  j 

1 

1 

'1' 

1' 

pose  to  catch  it,  and  split  it  up  into  foam,  or  to  stop  the 
boats  and  canoes  that  try  to  run  the  rapids,  and  cut  them 
up  into  splinters.     It  was  nn  ugly  place,  monsieur,  I  can 
tell  you;    and  though  I'vo  run   it   again    and   again,  I 
always  hold  my  breath  tighter  when  we  get  to  the  top, 
and  breathe  freer  when  we  get  to   the  bottom.     Well, 
there  was  a  chum  of  mine  at  the  bow,  Fran9ois  by  name, 
and  a  fine  fellow  he  was,  as  I  ever  came  across.     He 
used  to  sleep  with  me  at  night   under  the   same  blanket, 
although  it  was  somewhat  inconvenient ;  for,  being  as  big 
as  myself  and  a  stone  heavier,  it  was  all  we  ''ould  do  to 
make  the  blanket  cover  us.     However,  he  and  I  were 
great  friends,  and  we  managed  it  somehow.     Well,  he 
was  at  the  bow  when  we  took  the  rapids  —  and  a  firstrate 
bowman  he  made.     His  pole  was  twice  as  long  and  twice 
as  thick  as  any  other  pole  in   the  boat,  and  he  twisted  it 
about  just  like  a  fiddlestick.     I  remember  well  the  night 
before  we  came  to  the  rapids,  as  he   was  sitting  by  the 
fire  which  was  blazing  up  among  the  pine  branches  that 
overhung  us,  he  said  that  he  wanted  a  good  pole  for  the 
rapids  next  day,  and  with  that  he  jumped  up,  laid  hold 
of  an  axe,  and  went  back  into  the  woods  a  bit  to  get  one. 
When  he   returned,   he  brought   a   young   tree   on  his 
shoulder,  which  he  began  to  strip  of  its  branches  and 
bark.  '  Louis,'  says  he,  '  this  is  hot  work,  give  us  a  pipe ;' 
so  I  rummaged  about  for  some  tobacco,  but  found  there 
was  none  left  in  my  bag ;  so  I  went  to  my  kit  and  got 
out  my  roll,  about  three  fathoms  or  so,  and  cutting  hilf 
of  it  off,  I  went  to  the  fire  and  twisted  it  round  his  neck 
by  way  of  a  joke,  and  he  said  he'd  wear  it  as  a  necklace 
all  night,  —  and  so  he  did,  too,  and  forgot  to  take  it  off  in 
the   morning;   and  when  we   came    near   the   rapids  I 
couldn't  get  at  my  bag  to   stow   it  away,  so,  says  I, 


FROM  THE  FAB  NORTH. 


87 


*  Francois,  you'll  have  to  run  with  it  on,  for  I  can't  stop 
to  stow  it  no\\ .  *  All  right,'  saya  he,  '  go  ahead ; '  and 
just  as  he  aid  it,  we  came  in  sight  of  the  first  run  foam- 
injr  and  boilii,;:;  like  a  kettle  of  robiboo.  'Take  care, 
lads,'  I  cried,  and  the  next  moment  we  were  dashing 
down  toward^  the  bend  in  the  river.  As  we  came  near 
to  the  -hoot,  I  saw  Fran9oi3  standing  up  on  the  gunwale 
to  get  a  better  view  o^  the  rocks  ahead,  and  every  now 
and  then  giving  me  a  .signal  with  his  hand  how  to  steer ; 
suddenly  he  gave  a  shout,  and  plunged  his  long  pole  into 
the  water,  to  fend  oflP  from  a  rock  which  a  swirl  in  the 
gt  earn  had  concealed.  For  a  s<'cond  or  two  his  pole 
bent  like  <"  willow,  and  we  couia  feel  the  heavy  boat 
jerk  off  a  little  with  the  tremendous  strain ;  but  dl  at 
once  the  pole  broke  off  short  with  a  crack,  Franpoib's 
heels  made  a  flourish  in  the  air,  and  then  he  disap- 
peared head-foremost  into  the  foaming  \v;iter,  with  my 
tobacco  coiled  round  his  neck  !  As  we  flew  past  the 
place,  one  of  his  arras  appeared,  and  1  made  a  grab 
at  it,  and  caught  him  by  the  sleeve  ;  but  the  effort  upset 
myself,  and  over  I  went  too.  Fortunately,  however,  one 
of  my  men  caught  me  by  the  foot  and  held  on  like  a 
vice ;  but  the  force  of  the  current  tore  Francois's  si"  ve 
out  of  my  grasp,  and  I  was  dragged  into  the  boat 
ajjain  just  in  time  to  see  my  comrade's  legs  and  arms 
going  like  the  sails  of  a  windmill,  as  he  rolled  over 
several  times  and  disappeared.  Well,  we  put  ashore 
the  moment  we  got  into  still  water,  and  then  five  or 
six  of  us  started  off  on  foot  to  look  for  Francois. 
After  half  an  hour's  search,  we  found  him  pitched  upon 
a  flat  rock  in  the  middle  of  the  stream  like  a  bit  of 
drift-wood.  We  immediately  waded  out  to  the  rock  and 
brought  him  ashore,  where  we  lighted  a  fire,  took  off 


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23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBStER.N  Y.  14580 

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88 


SNOWFLAKES  AND    SUNBEAMS 


I  iii 


ikf' 


'         ,.!,. 


all  ^is  clothes,  and  rubbed  him  till  he  began  to  show 
signs  of  life  again.  But  you  may  judge,  mes  garpons, 
of  my  misery,  when  I  found  that  the  coil  of  tobacco 
was  gone.  It  had  come  off  his  neck  during  his  strug- 
gles, and  there  wasn't  a  vestige  i.-^  it  left,  except  a 
bright  red  mark  on  the  throat,  where  it  had  nearly 
strangled  him.  When  he  began  to  recover,  he  put  his 
hand  up  to  his  neck  as  if  feeling  for  something,  and 
muttered  faintly,  *  the  tobac'  *  Ah,  morbleu ! '  &aid  I, 
*  you  may  say  that !  Where  is  it  ? '  Well,  we  soon 
brought  him  round,  but  he  had  swallowed  so  much 
water  that  it  damaged  his  lungs,  and  we  had  to  leave 
him  at  the  next  post  we  came  to,  and  so  I  lost  my 
friend,  too." 

"  Did  Fran9ois  get  better  ?  "  said  Charley  Kennedy, 
in  a  voice  of  great  concern. 

Charley  had  entered  the  store  by  anotlier  door,  just  as 
the  guide  began  his  story,  and  had  listened  to  it  unob- 
served with  breathless  interest. 

"  Recover !  Oh,  oui,  monsieur,  he  soon  got  well  again." 

"  Oh,  I'm  so  glad,"  cried  Charley. 

'Il^ut  I  lost  him  for  that  voyage,"  added  the  guide ; 
"  and  I  lost  ray  tabac  forever ! " 

"  You  must  take  better  care  of  it  this  time,  Louis," 
said  Peter  Mactavish,  as  he  resumed  his  work. 

"  That  I  shall,  monsieur,"  replied  Louis,  shouldering 
his  goods  and  quitting  the  store,  while  a  short,  slim,  active, 
little  Canadian  took  his  place. 

''  Now  then,  Baptiste,"  said  Mactavish,  "  you  want 
a " 

"  Blanket,  monsieur." 

"Good.    And "  v 

"  A  c^potCj  monsieur ! " 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


89 


«  And  — 
"  An  axe 


» 


>» 


"  Stop,  stop ! "  shouted  Harry  Somerville  from  hia 
desk.  "  Here's  an  entry  in  Louis's  account  that  I  can't 
make  out,  —  30  something  or  other ;  what  can  it  have 
been?" 

"  How  often,"  said  Mactavish,  going  up  to  him  with  a 
look  of  annoyance,  — "  how  often  have  I  told  you,  Mr. 
Somerville,  not  to  leave  an  entry  half  finished  on  any 
account  ?  " 

"  I  didn't  know  that  I  left  it  so,"  said  Harry,  twisting 
his  features,  and  scratching  his  head  in  great  perplexity. 
"  What  can  it  have  been,  30  —  30  —  not  blankets,  eb  ?  " 
(Harry  was  becoming  banteringly  bitter.)  "  He  couldn't 
have  got  thirty  guns,  could  he  ?  or  thirty  knives,  or  thirty 
copper  kettles  ?  " 

"  Perhaps  it  was  thirty  pounds  of  tea,"  suggested 
Charley. 

"  No  doubt  it  was  thirty  pipes,"  said  Peter  Mactavish. 

"  Oh,  that  was  it ! "  cried  Harry,  "  that  was  it !  thirty 
pipes,  to  be  sure ;  what  an  ass  I  am ! " 

"  And  pray  what  is  that  ? "  said  Mactavish,  pointing 
sarcastically  to  an  entry  in  the  previous  account, — 
"  0  yards  of  superfine  Annette  ?  Really,  Mr.  Somerville,  I 
wish  you  would  pay  more  attention  to  your  work  and  less 
to  the  conversation." 

"  Oh  dear  ! "  cried  Harry,  becoming  almost  hysterical 
under  the  combined  effects  of  chagrin  at  making  so  many 
mistakes,  and  suppressed  merriment  at  the  idea  of  selling 
Annettes  by  the  yard.     "  Oh,  dear  me  ! " 

Harry  could  say  no  more,  but  stuffed  his  handkerchief 
into  his  mouth  and  turned  away. 

"  Well,  sir,"  said  the  offended  Peter,  «  when  you  have 


90 


SNOWFLAKEG  AND  SUNBEAMS 


11  i'  .1 


laughed  to  your  entire  satisfaction,  we  will  go  on  with 
our  work,  if  you  please." 

"  All  right,"  cried  Harry.,  suppressing  his  feelings  with 
a  strong  effort,  "  what  next  ?  " 

Just  then  a  tall,  raw-boned  man  entered  the  store,  and 
rudely  thrusting  Baptiste  aside,  asked  if  he  could  get  his 
supplies  now. 

"  No,"  said  Mactavish,  sharply  ;  "  you'll  take  your  turn 
like  the  rest." 

The  new-comer  was  a  native  of  Ockney,  a  country 
from  which,  and  the  neighboring  islands,  the  Fur  Com- 
pany almost  exclusively  recruits  its  staff  of  laborers. 
These  men  are  steady,  useful  servants,  although  inclined 
to  be  slow  and  lazy  at  first ;  but  they  soon  get  used  to 
the  country,  and  rapidly  improve  under  the  example  of 
the  active  Canadians  and  half-breeds  with  whom  they 
associate  ;  some  of  them  are  the  best  servants  the  Com- 
pany possess.  Hugh  Mathison,  however,  was  a  very 
bad  specimen  of  the  race,  being  rough  and  coarse  in  his 
manners,  and  very  lazy  withal.  Upon  receiving  the 
trader's  answer,  Hugh  turned  sulkily  qn  his  heel  and 
strode  towards  the  door.  Now,  it  happened  that  Bap- 
tiste's  bundle  lay  just  behind  him,  and,  on  turning  to 
leave  the  place,  he  tripped  over  it  and  stumbled,  whereat 
the  voyageurs  burst  into  an  ironical  laugh  (for  Hugh  was 
not  a  favorite.) 

"  Confound  your  trash ! "  he  cried,  giving  the  little 
bundle  a  kick  that  scattered  everything  over  the  flocr. 

"  Crapaud ! "  said  Baptiste,  between  his  set  teeth,  while 
his  eyes  flashed  angrily,  and  he  stood  up  before  Hugh 
with  clenched  fists,  "  what  mean  you  by  that  ?  eh  ?  " 

The  big  Scotchman  held  his  little  opponent  in  con- 
tempt, so  that,  instead  of  putting  himself  on  the  defensive, 


Ipi'iklii'i 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


91 


he  leaned  his  back  against  the  door,  thrust  his  hands 
into  his  pockets,  and  requested  to  know  "  what  that  was 
to  him." 

Baptiste  was  not  a  man  of  many  words,  and  this  reply, 
coupled  with  the  insolent  sneer  with  which  it  was  uttered, 
caused  him  to  plant  a  sudden  and  well  directed  blow  en 
the  point  of  Hugh's  nose,  which  flattened  it  on  his  face, 
and  brought  the  back  of  his  head  into  violent  contact  with 
the  door. 

"  Well  done  ! "  shouted  the  men ;  «  bravo,  Baptiste  ! 
regardez  le  nez,  mes  enfans  I " 

"  Hold ! "  cried  Mactavish,  vaulting  the  counter,  and 
intercepting  Hugh  as  he  rushed  upon  his  antagonist;  "no 
fighting  here,  you  blackguards  !  If  you  want  to  do  that, 
go  outside  the  fort ; "  and  Peter,  opening  the  door,  thrust 
the  Orkneyman  out. 

In  the  mean  time,  Baptiste  gathered  up  his  goods  and 
left  the  store,  in  company  with  several  of  his  friends, 
vowing  that  he  would  wreak  his  vengear.ce  on  the  "  gros 
chien  "  before  the  sun  should  set. 

He  had  not  long  to  wait,  however,  for,  just  outside  the 
gate,  he  found  Hugh,  still  smarting  under  the  pain  and 
indignity  of  the  blow,  and  ready  to  pounce  upon  him  like 
a  cat  on  a  mouse. 

Baptiste  instantly  threw  down  his  bundle  and  prepared 
for  battle  by  discarding  his  coat. 

Every  nation  has  its  own  peculiar  method  of  fighting, 
and  its  own  ideas  of  what  is  honorable  and  dishonorable 
in  combat.  The  English,  as  every  one  knows,  have  par- 
ticularly stringent  rules  regarding  the  part  of  the  body 
which  may  or  may  not  be  hit  with  propriety,  and  count  it 
foul  disgrace  to  strike  a  man  when  he  is  down ;  although, 
by  some  strange  perversity  of  reasoning,  they  deem  it 


92 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


right  and  fair  to  fall  upon  him  while  in  this  helpless  con- 
dition, and  burst  him  if  possible.  The  Scotchman  has 
less  of  the  science,  and  we  are  half  inclined  to  believe 
that  he  would  go  the  length  of  kicking  a  fallen  opponent ; 
but  on  this  point  we  are  not  quite  positive.  In  regard 
to  the  style  adopted  by  the  half-breeds,  however,  we  have 
no  doubt.  They  fight  any  way  and  every  way,  ,without 
reference  to  rules  at  all ;  and,  really,  although  we  may 
bring  oureelves  into  contempt  by  admitting  the  fact,  we 
think  they  are  quite  right.  No  doubt  the  best  course  of 
action  is  not  to  fight ;  but,  if  a  man  does  find  it  necessary 
to  do  so,  surely  the  wisest  plan  is  to  get  it  over  at  once 
(as  the  dentist  suggested  to  his  timorous  patient),  and  to 
do  it  in  the  most  effectual  manner. 

Be  this  as  it  may,  Baptiste  flew  at  Hugh  and  alighted 
upon  him,  not  head  first,  or  fist  first,  or  feet  first,  or  any- 
thing first,  but  altogether  —  in  a  heap,  as  it  were ;  fist, 
feet,  knees,  nails,  and  teeth,  all  taking  effect  at  one  and 
the  same  time,  with  a  force  so  irresistible  that  the  next 
moment  they  both  rolled  in  the  dust  together. 

For  a  minute  or  so  they  struggled  and  kicked  like  a 
couple  of  serpents,  and  then,  bounding  to  their  feet  agaiu, 
they  began  to  perform  a  war-dance  round  each  other, 
revolving  their  fists  at  the  same  time  in,  we  presume,  the 
most  approved  fashion.  Owing  to  his  bulk  and  natural 
laziness,  which  rendered  jumping  about  like  a  jack-in- 
the-box  impossible,  Hugh  Mathison  preferred  to  stand 
on  the  defensive  ;  while  his  lighter  opponent,  giving  way 
to  the  natural  bent  of  his  mercurial  temperament  and 
corporeal  predilections,  comported  himself  in  a  mknner 
that  cannot  be  likened  to  anything  mortal  or  immortal, 
human  or  inhuman,  unless  it  be  to  an  insane  cat,  whose 
veins  ran  wildfire  instead  of  blood.     Or,  perhaps,  we 


in 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


9a 


might  liken  him  to  that  ingenious  piece  of  firework  called 
a  zigzag  cracker,  which  explodes  with  unexpected  and 
repeated  suddenness,  changing  its  position  in  a  most  per- 
plexing manner  at  every  crack.  Baptiste,  after  the  first 
onset,  danced  backwards  with  surprising  lightness,  glaring 
at  his  adversary  the  while,  and  rapidly  revolving  his  fists 
as  before  mentioned ;  then,  a  terrific  yell  was  heard ;  his 
head,  arms,  and  legs  became  a  sort  of  whirling  conglom- 
erate ;  the  spot  on  which  he  danced  was  suddenly  vacant, 
and,  at  the  same  moment,  Mathison  received  a  bite,  a 
scratch,  a  dab  on  the  nose,  and  a  kick  in  the  stomach  all 
at  once.  Feeling  that  it  was  impossible  to  plant  a  well 
directed  blow  on  such  an  assailant,  he  waited  for  the  next 
onslaught ;  and  the  moment  he  saw  the  explosive  object 
flying  through  the  air  towards  him,  he  met  it  with  a 
crack  of  his  heavy  fist,  which,  happening  to  take  effect  in 
the  middle  of  the  chest,  drove  it  backwards  with  about 
as  much  velocity  as  it  had  approached,  and  poor  Baptiste 
measured  his  length  on  the  ground. 

"  Oh  pauvre  chien  ! "  cried  the  spectators,  *•  c'est  fini ! " 
"  Not  yet,"  cried  Baptiste,  as  he  sprang  with  a  scream 
to  his  feet  again,  and  began  his  dance  with  redoubled 
energy,  just  as  if  all  that  had  gone  before  was  a  mere 
sketch  —  a  sort  of  playful  rehearsal,  as  it  were,  of  what 
was  now  to  follow.  At  this  moment,  Hugh  stumbled 
over  a  canoe-paddle,  and  fell  headlong  into  Baptiste's 
arms,  as  he  was  in  the  very  act  of  making  one  of  his 
violent  descents.  This  unlooked-for  occurrence  brought 
them  both  to  a  sudden  pause,  partly  from  necessity  and 
l...rtly  from  surprise.  Out  of  this  state,  Baptiste  recov- 
ered first,  and,  taking  advantage  of  the  accident,  threw 
Mathison  heavily  to  the  ground.  He  rose  quickly,  how- 
ever, and  renewed  the  fight  with  freshened  vigor. 


■p*^"* 


94 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


'iMllI 


Just  at  this  moment  a  passionate  growl  was  heard,  and 
old  Mr.  Kennedy  rushed  out  of  the  fort  in  a  towering 


rage. 


Now,  Mr.  Kennedy  had  no  reason  whatever  for  being 
angry.  He  was  only  a  visitor  at  the  fort,  and  so  had  no 
concern  in  the  behavior  of  those  connected  with  it.  He 
was  not  even  in  the  Company's  service  now,  and  could 
not,  therefore,  lay  claim,  as  one  of  its  officers,  to  any 
right  to  interfere  with  its  men.  But  Mr.  Kennedy  never 
acted  much  from  reason ;  impulse  was  generally  his  guid- 
ing star.  He  had,  moreover,  been  an  absolute  mon  \rch, 
and  a  commander  of  men  for  many  years  past  in  his  ca- 
pacity of  fur-trader.  Being,  as  we  have  said,  a  power- 
ful, fiery  man,  he  had  ruled  very  much  by  means  of  brute 
force,  —  a  species  of  suasion,  by  the  way,  which  is  too 
common  among  many  of  the  gentlemen  (?)  in  the  em- 
ployment of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company.  On  hearing, 
therefore,  that  the  men  were  fighting  in  front  of  the  fort, 
Mr-  Kennedy  rushed  out  in  a  towering  rage. 

"  Oh,  you  precious  blackguards !  "  he  cried,  running  up 
to  the  combatants,  while  with  flashing  eyes  he  gazed  first 
at  one  and  then  at  the  other,  as  if  uncertain  on  which  to 
launch  his  ire.  "  Have  you  no  place  in  the  world  to 
fight  but  here  ?     Eh  !  blackguards  ?  " 

"  Oh,  monsieur,"  said  Baptiste,  lowering  his  hands,  and 
assuming  that  politeness  of  demeanor  which  seems  in- 
separable from  French  blood,  however  much  mixed  with 
baser  fluid,  "  I  was  just  giving  that  dog  a  thrashing,  mon- 
sieur. 

"  Gro  I "  cried  Mr.  Kennedy,  in  a  voice  of  thunder, 
turning  to  Hugh,  who  still  stood  in  a  pugilistic  attitude, 
with  very  little  respect  in  his  looks. 

Hugh  hesitated  to  obey  the  order,  but  Mr.  Kennedy 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 

continued  to  advance,  grinding  his  teeth  and  working  his 
fingers  convulsively,  as  if  he  longed  to  lay  violent  hold 
of  the  Orkneyman's  swelled  nose ;  so  he  retreated  in  his 
uncertainty,  but  still  with  his  face  to  the  foe.  As  has 
been  already  [^aid,  the  Assinaboine  river  flows  within  a 
hundred  yards  of  the  gate  of  Fort  Garry.  The  two 
men  in  their  combat  had  approached  pretty  near  to  the 
bank,  at  a  place  where  it  descends  somewhat  precipitately 
into  the  stream.  It  was  towards  this  bank  that  Hugh 
Mathison  was  now  retreating,  crab  fashion,  followed  by 
Mr.  Kennedy,  and  both  of  them  so  taken  up  with  epch 
other  that  neither  perceived  the  fact  until  Hugh's  heel 
struck  against  a  stone  just  at  the  moment  that  Mr.  Ken- 
nedy raised  his  clenched  fist  in  a  threatening  attitude. 
The  effect  of  this  combination  was  to  pitch  the  poor  man 
head  over  heels  down  the  bank,  into  a  row  of  willow- 
bushes,  through  which,  as  he  rolled  with  great  speed,  he 
went  with  a  loud  crash,  and  shot  head  first,  like  a  startled 
alligator,  into  the  water,  amid  a  roar  of  laughter  from  his 
comrades  and  the  people  belonging  to  the  fort :  most  of 
whom,  attracted  by  the  fight,  were  now  assembled  on  the 
banks  of  the  river. 

Mr.  Kennedy's  wrath  vanished  immediately,  and  he 
joined  in  the  laughter;  but  his  face  instantly  changed 
when  he  beheld  Hugh  spluttering  in  deep  water,  and 
heard  some  one  say  that  he  could  not  swim. 

"What!  can't  swim?"  he  exclaimed,  running  down 
the  bank  to  the  edge  of  the  water.  Baptiste  was  before 
him,  however.  In  a  moment  he  plunged  in  up  to  the 
neck,  stretched  forth  his  arm,  grasped  Hugh  by  the  hair, 
and  dragged  him  to  the  land. 

\ 


irW 


96 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


r   ■,! 


Ill; 


!,  'I' 


mm 

",»  8    i 


i 


CHAPTER    Vm. 

FAREWELL  TO  KATE;    DEPARTURE  OP  THE   BRIGADE;  CHARLEY 
BECOMES  A    VOYAGEUR. 

ON  the  following  day  at  noon,  the  spot  on  which  the 
late  combat  had  taken  place  became  the  theatre 
of  a  stirring  and  animated  scene.  Fort  Garry,  and  the 
space  between  it  and  the  river,  swarmed  with  voyageurs^ 
dressed  in  their  cleanest,  newest,  and  most  brilliant  cos- 
tume. Theiarge  boats  for  the  north,  six  in  number,  lay 
moored  to  the  river's  bank,  laden  with  bales  of  furs,  and 
ready  to  start  on  their  long  voyage.  Young  men,  who 
had  never  been  on  the  route  before,  stood  with  animated^ 
looks  watching  the  operations  of  the  guides  as  they 
passed  critical  examination  upon  their  boats,  overhauled 
the  oars  to  see  that  they  were  in  good  condition,  or 
with  crooked  knives  (a  species  of  instrument  in  the  uie 
of  which  voyageurs  and  natives  are  very  expert)  polished 
off  the  top  of  a  mast,  the  blade  of  an  oar,  or  the  handle 
of  a  tiller.  Old  men,  who  had  passed  their  lives  in 
similar  occupations,  looked  on  in  silence  ;  some  standing 
with  their  heads  bent  on  their  bosoms,  and  an  expres- 
sion of  sadness  about  their  faces,  as  if  the  scene  recalled 
some  mournful  event  of  their  early  life;  or  possibly 
reminded  them  of  wild  joyous  scenes  of  other  days,  when 
the  blood  coursed  warmly  in  their  young  veins,  and  the 
strong  muscles  sprang  lightly  to  obey  their  will ;  when 
the  work  they  had  to  do  was  hard,  and  the  sleep  that 


III 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


07 


followed  it  was  sound,  —  scenes  and  days  that  were  now 
gone  by  forever.  Others  reclined  against  the  wooden 
fence,  their  arms  crossed,  their  thin  white  hair  waving 
gently  in  the  breeze,  and  a  kind  smile  playing  on  their 
sunburnt  faces,  as  they  observed  the  swagger  and  cox- 
combry of  the  younger  men,  or  watched  the  gambols  of 
several  dark-eyed  little  children  —  embryo  buffalo-hun- 
ters and  voyageurs  —  whose  mothers  had  brought  them 
to  the  fort  to  get  a  last  kiss  from  papa,  and  witness  the 
d.jparture  of  the  boats. 

Several   tender   scenes  were  going  on,  in  out-of-the- 
way  places —  in  angles  of  the  walls  and  bastions,  or  be- 
hind  the    gates  — between    youthful    couples    about  to 
be  separated  for  a  season.     Interesting  scenes  these  of 
pathos  and  pleasantry  —  a  combination  of  soft  glances- 
and  affectionate,  fervent  assurances  — alternate  embraces^ 
(that  were  apparently  received  with  reluctance,  but  act- 
ually with  delight,)  and  proffers  of  pieces  of  calico  and 
beads    and    other   trinkets,    (received    both   apparently 
and  actually  with  extreme  satisfaction,)  as  souvenirs  of 
happy  days  that  were  past,  and  pledges  of  unalterable 
constancy  and  bright  hopes   in  days  that  were   yet   to- 
come. 

A  little   apart  from  the  others,  a   youth   and  a  girE 
might  be   seen   sauntering    slowly   towards   the    copse- 
beyond  the. stable.     These  were  Charley  Kennedy  and! 
his  sister  Kate,  who  had  retired  from  the  bustling  scene 
to  take  a  last  short  walk  together,  ere  they  separated, 
It  might  be,  for  years,  perhaps  forever !     Charley  held 
Kate's  hand,  while  her  sweet    little  head,  rested  on  his 
shoulder. 

^  "Oh,  Charley,  Charley,  my  own  dear,  darling  Charley, 
I'm  quite  miserable,  and  you  ought  not  to  go  away ; 


"F*"lffHiPi 


98 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


'ilfiill 


?'  ii 


it's  very  wrong,  and  I  don't  mind  a  bit  what  you  say, — 
I  shall  die  if  you  leave  me  ! "  And  Kate  pressed  him 
tightly  to  her  heart,  and  sobbed  in  the  depth  of  her 
woe. 

"  Now,  Kate,  my  darling,  don't  go  on  so  I  You  know 
I  can't  help  it " 

"  I  don't  know,"  cried  Kate,  interrupting  him,  and 
speaking  vehemently.  "  I  don't  know,  and  I  don't  be- 
lieve, and  I  don't  care  for  anything  at  all;  it's  very 
hardhearted  of  you,  and  wrong,  and  not  right,  and  I'm 
just  quite  wretched  ! " 

Poor  Kate  was  undoubtedly  speaking  the  absolute 
truth ;  for  a  more  disconsolate  and  wretched  look  of 
woebegone  misery  was  never  seen  on  so  sweet  and 
tender  and  lovable  a  little  face  before.  Her  blue  eyes 
swam  in  two  lakes  of  pure  crystal,  that  overflowed  con- 
tinually ;  her  mouth,  which  was  usually  round,  had  be- 
come an  elongated  oval ;  and  her  nutbrown  hair  fell  in 
dishevelled  masses  over  her  soft  cheeks. 

"  Oh,  Charley,"  she  continued,  "  why  won't  you  stay  ?  " 

"  Listen  to  me,  dearest  Kate,"  said  Charley,  in  a  very 
husky  voice.  "  It's  too  late  to  draw  back  now,  even  if 
I  wished  to  do  so ;  and  you  don't  consider,  darling,  that 
I'll  be  back  again  soon.  Besides,  I'm  a  man  now,  Kate, 
and  I  must  make  my  own  bread.  Who  ever  heard  of  a 
man  being  supported  by  his  old  father  ?  " 

"  Well,  but  you  can  do  that  here." 

"  Now,  don't  interrupt  me,  Kate,"  said  Charley,  kiss- 
ing her  forehead ;  "  I'm  quite  satisfied  with  two  short  legs, 
and  have  no  desire  whatever  to  make  my  bread  on  the 
top  of  three  long  ones.  Besides,  you  know  I  can  write  to 
you " 

"  But  you  won't ;  you'll  forget." 


FROM  t;iie  far  north. 


99 


"  No,  indeed,  I  will  not.  I'll  write  you  long  letters 
about  all  that  I  see  and  do;  and  you  shall  write  long 
letters  to  me  about  —  " 

"  Stop,  Charley,"  cried  Kate  ;  "  I  won't  listen  to  you. 
I  hate  to  think  of  it." 

And  her  tears  burst  forth  again  with  fresh  violence. 
Tliis  time  Charley's  heart  sank  too.  The  lump  in  his 
throat  all  but  choked  him;  so  he  was  fain  to  lay  his 
head  upon  Kate's  heaving  bosom,  and  weep  along  with 
her. 

For  a  few  minutes  they  remained  silent,  when  a  slight 
rustling  in  the  bushes  was  heard.  In  another  moment 
a  tall,  broad-shouldered,  gentlemanly  man,  dressed  in 
black,  stood  before  them.  Charley  and  Kate,  on  seeing 
this  personage,  arose,  and,  wiping  the  tears  from  their 
eyes,  gave  a  sad  smile  as  they  shook  hands  with  their 
clergyman. 

"My  poor  children,"  said  Mr.  Addison,  affectionately, 
"I  know  well  why  your  hearts  are  sad.  May  God  bless 
and  comfort  you  !  I  saw  you  enter  the  wood,  and  came 
to  bid  you  farewell,  Charley,  my  dear  boy,  as  I  shall  not 
have  another  opportunity  of  doing  so." 

•'Oh,  dear  Mr.  Addison,"  cried  Kate,  grasping  his 
hand  in  both  jQf  Ji^r^,::and  gazing  irapiorirjgly  rp  at  him 
through  a  pfcrfecWiideywass  of;  ringiatsj  and  otears,  "  do 
prevail  upojyCbarles  ^o^tayMhome  ;  .plegise  do." 

Mr.  Add?s6n  '(ibiiM: scarcely  help  smJHng.'at  ;fhe  poor 
girl's  extreme  earnestness. 

"I  fear,  my  sweet  child,  that  it  is  too  late  now  to 
attempt  to  dissuade  Charley.  Besides,  he  goes  with  the 
consent  of  his  father;  and  I  am  inclined  to  think  that 
a  change  of  life  for  a  short  time  may  do  him  gopd. 
Come,   Kate,   cheer    up!     Charley   will   return   to    us 


•  •  •  •   •  • 

•  -•  •  •    •  . 


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)  *  •  •   ; 

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,    9  „     '00 


100 


SNOWFLAKES  AND   SUNBEAMS 


%'• 


W  I     I'll 


^1  *'!' 


•'fK'M 


again  ere  long,  improved,  I  trust,  both  physically  and 
mentally." 

Kate  did  not  cheer  up ;  but  she  dried  her  eyes  and 
endeavored  to  !ook  more  composed,  while  Mr.  Addison 
took  Charley  by  the  hand,  and,  as  they  walked  slowly 
through  the  wood,  gave  him  much  earnest  advice  and 
counsel. 

The  clergyman's  manner  wa3  peculiar.  With  a  large, 
warm,  generous  heart,  he  possessed  ah  enthusiastic  na- 
ture, a  qtuck  brusque  manner,  and  a  loud  voice,  which, 
when  his  spirit  was  influenced  by  the  strong  emotions  of 
pity,  or  ai>xiety  for  the  souls  of  hio  flock,  sunk  into  a  deep 
soft  bass  of  the  most  thrilling  earnestness.  He  belonged 
to  the  Church  of  England,  but  conducted  service  very 
much  in  the  Presbyterian  form,  as  being  more  suited  to 
his  mixed  congregation.  After  a  long  conversation  with 
Charley,  he  concluded  by  saying,  — 

"  I  do  not  care  to  say  much  to  you  about  being  kind 
and  obhging  to  all  whom  you  may  meet  with  during  your 
travels,  nor  about  the  dangers  to  which  you  will  be  ex- 
posed, by  being  thrown  into  the  company  of  wild  and 
reckless,  perhaps  very  -.vicked,  men.  There  is  but  one 
incentive  to  every  good,  and  one  safeguard  against  all 
evil,  my  'boj-,.  and  that  is  tbe'.lpve;  ^f  God.  You  may, 
perhapSj  fot'g6t.,i(ttijplr  that  1  .have  said  to  you  ;  but  re- 
membe?"  thjs,  Cjiarleyj  if  y»;j  would  .bft  liappj  i?.i  this  world, 
and  hav«4  a  gaod.hope  ,for,^:he  ye:it,  centre  your  heart's 
affection  on  our  blessed  Lord  Jesus  Christ ;  for  believe 
me,  boy,  his  heart's  affectit^n  is  centered  upon  you." 

As  Mr.  Addison  spoke,  a  loud  hallo  from  Mr.  Kennedy 
apprised  them  that  their  time  was  exhausted,  and  that 

the  boats  were  readv  to  start.     Charlev  snrano"  towards 

"  ^  .-  -        -.  — --_,    -^ ^    ......    -. 

Kate,  bcked  her  in  a  long,  passionate  embrace,  and  then. 


FROM  THE  FAB  NORTH. 


101 


forgetting  Mr.  Addison  a' together  in  his  haste,  /an  out  of 
the  wood,  and  hastened  towards  the  scene  of  departure. 

«  Good-bye,  Charley ! "  cried  Harry  Somerville,  run- 
ning up  to  his  friend,  and  giving  him  a  warm  grasp  of  the 
hand.  "  Don't  forget  me,  Charley.  I  wish  I  were  going 
with  you,  with  all  my  heart ;  but  I'm  an  unlucky  do«^  — 
good-bye."  The  senior  clerk  and  Peter  Mnctavishliad 
also  a  kindly  word  and  a  cheerful  farewell  for  him  as  he 
hurried  past. 

"  Good-bye,  Charley,  my  lad  !  "  said  old  Mr.  Kennedy, 
in  an  excessively  loud  voice,  ac  if  by  such  means  he  in- 
tended to  crush  back  some  unusual,  but  very  powerful, 
feelings  that  had  a  peculiar  influence  on  a  certain  lump 
in  his  throat.     "  Good-bye,  my  lad  ;  don't  forget  to  write 

to  your  old .     Hang  it ! "  said  the  old  man,  brushing 

his  coat-sleeve  somewhat  violently  across  his  eyes,  and 
turning  abruptly  round  as  Charley  left  him  and  sprang 

mto  the  boat.     "I  say.  Grant,!  — I .     What  are 

you  staring  at.? -eh.?"  The  latter  part  of  his  speech 
was  addressed,  in  angry  tone,  to  an  innocent  voyageur,  who 
happened  accidentally  to  confront  him  at  the  moment. 

"  Come  along,  Kennedy,"  said  Mr.  Grant,  interposing, 
and  grasping  his  excited  friend  by  the  arm  — "Come 
with  me." 

"Ah,  to  be  sure!— yes!"  said  he,  looking  over  his 
shoulder  and  waving  a  last  adieu  to  Charley  —  «  Good- 
bye, God  bless  you,  my  dear  boy  !  I  say.  Grant,  come 
along  — quick,  man,  and  let's  have  a  pipe.  Yes;  let's 
have  a  pipe."  Mr.  Kennedy,  essaying  once  more  lo 
crush  back  his  rebellious  feelings,  strode  rapidly  up  the 
bank,  and,  entering  the  house,  sought  to  overwhelm  his 
sorrow  in  smoke  ;  in  which  attempt  he  failed. 


102 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


CHAPTER  IX. 


,1'       'II 


THE  VOYAGE;    THE  ENCAMPMENT;    A  SURPRISE. 

IT  was  a  fine  sight  to  see  the  boats  depart  for  the 
North.  It  was  a  thrilling,  heart-stirring  sight  to  be- 
hold these  picturesque  athletic  men,  on  receiving  the  word 
of  command  from  their  guides,  spring  lightly  into  the 
long,  heavy  boats;  to  see  them  let  the  oars  fall  into  the 
water  with  a  loud  splash ;  and  then,  taking  their  seats, 
give  way  with  a  will,  knowing  that  the  eyes  of  friends 
and  sweethearts  and  rivals  were  bent  earnestly  upon 
them.  It  was  a  splendid  sight  to  see  boat  after  boat 
shoot  out  from  the  landing-place,  and  cut  through  the 
calm  bosom  of  the  river,  as  the  men  bent  their  sturdy 
backs,  until  the  thick  oars  creaked  and  groaned  on  the 
gunwales,  and  flashed  in  the  stream,  more  and  more  vig- 
orously at  each  successive  stroke,  until  their  friends  on 
the  bank,  who  were  anxious  to  see  the  last  of  them,  had 
to  run  faster  and  faster,  in  order  to  keep  up  with  them,  as 
the  rowers  warmed  at  their  work,  and  made  the  water 
gurgle  at  the  bows  —  their  bright  blue  and  scarlet  and 
white  trappings  reflected  in  the  dark  waters  in  broken 
masses  of  color,  streaked  with  long  lines  of  shining 
ripples,  as  if  they  floated  on  a  lake  of  liquid  rainbows. 
And  it  was  a  glorious  thing  to  hear  the  wild,  plaintive 
song,  led  by  one  clear,  sonorous  voice,  that  rang  out,  full 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


103 


and  strong,  in  the  still  air,  while,  at  the  close  of  every 
two  lines,  the  whole  brigade  burst  into  a  loud  enthu- 
siastic chorus,  that  rolled  far  "and  wide  over  the  smooth 
waters  —  telling  of  their  approach  to  settlers  beyond  the 
reach  of  vision  in  advance,  and  floating  faintly  back,  a 
last  farewell,  to  the   listening  ears  of  fathers,  mothers, 
wives,  and  sisters  left  behind.     And  it  was  interesting  to 
observe  how,  as  the  rushing  boats  sped  onwards  past  the 
cottages  on  shore,  groups  of  men  and  women  and  children 
stood  before  the  open  doors,  and  waved  adieu;  while, 
ever  and  anon,  a  solitary  voice  rang   louder  than  the 
others  in  the  chorus ;    and  a   pair   of  dark  eyes   grew 
brighter,  as  a  voyageur  swept  past  his  home,  and  recog- 
nized his  little  ones  screaming  farewell,  and  seeking  to 
attract  their  sire's  attention  by  tossing  their  chubby  arms, 
or  flourishing  round   their   heads   the  bright  vermilion 
blades  of  canoe-paddles.     It  was  interesting,  too,  to  hear 
the  men  shout  as  they  ran  a  small  rapid  which  occurs 
about  the  lower  part  of  the  settlement,  and  dashed  in  full 
career  up  to   the   Lower   Fort  — which   stands   about 
twenty  miles  down  the  river  from  Fort  Garry  —  and  then 
sped   onward   again  with  unabated  energy,   until   they 
passed  the  Indian  settlement,  with  its  scattered  woodea 
buildings  and  its  small  church ;  passed  the  last  cottage 
on  the  bank ;   passed  the  low  swampy  land  at  the  river's, 
mouth ;  and  emerged  at    last   as  evening  closed,  upon, 
the  wide,  calm,  sea-like  bosom  of  Lake  Winnipeg, 

Charley  saw  and  heard  all  this,  during  the  whole  of 
that  long,  exciting  afternoon  ;  and,  as  he  heard,  and  saw- 
it,  his  heart  swelled  as  if  it  would  burst  its  prison-bars ;; 
his  voice  rang  out  wildly  in  the  choruses,  regardless  alike 
of  tune  and  time,  and  his  soirit  boiled  within  h\m  oa  he 
quaffed  the  first  sweet  draught  of  a  rover's  life a.  life- 


104 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


in  the  woods  —  the  wil  ^  free,  enchanting  woods,  where 
all  appeared  in  his  eyes  bright,  and  sunny,  and  green,  and 
beautiful ! 

As  the  sun's  last  rays  sank  in  the  west,  and  the  clouds, 
losing  their  crimson  hue,  began  gradually  to  fade  into 
gray,  the  boats'  heads  were  turned  landward.  In  a  few 
seconds  they  grounded  on  a  low  point  covered  with  small 
trees  and  bushes,  which  stretched  out  into  the  lake. 
Here  Louis  Peltier  had  resolved  to  bivouac  for  the  night. 
\^  "  Now  then,  mes  gargons"  he  exclaimed,  leaping  ashore, 

and  helping  to  drag  the  boat  a  little  way  on  to  the  beach ; 
"  vite  !  vite  !  a  terre  I  a  terre  !  Take  the  kettle,  Pierre, 
and  let's  have  supper." 

Pierre  needed  no  second  bidding.     He  grasped  a  large 
tin  kettle  and  an  axe,  with  which  he  hurried  into  a  clump 
of  trees.     Laying  down  the  kettle,  which  he  had  previ- 
ously filled  with  water  from  the  lake,  he  singled  out  a  dead 
tree,  and  with  three  powerful  blows  of  his  axe  brought  it 
to  the  ground.     A  few  additional  strokes  cut  it  up  into 
logs,  varying  from  three  to  five  feet  in  length,  which  he 
piled  together,  first  placing  a  small  bundle  of  dry  grass 
and  twigs  beneath  them,  and  a  few  splinters  of  wood 
which  he  cut  from  off  one  of  the  logs.     Having  accom- 
plished this,  Pierre  took  a  flint  and  steel  out  of  a  gayly 
ornamented  pouch,  which  depended  from  his  waist,  and 
which  went  by  the  name  of  a  fire-hag^  m  consequence  of 
its  containing  the  implements  for  procuring  that  element. 
It  might  have  been  as  appropriately  named  tobacco-hag 
or  smoking-hag,  however,  seeing  tiiat  such  things  had 
more  to  do  with  it,  if  possible,  than  fire.     Having  struck 
a  spark,  which  he  took  captive  by  means  of  a  piece  of 
tinder,  he  placed  it  in  the  centre  of  a  very  dry  handful 
of  soft  grass,  and  whirled  it  rapidly  round  his  head. 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


105 


thereby  producing  a  current  of  air,  which   blew   the 
spark  into  a  flame;   which,  when  applied,  lighted  the 
grass  and  twigs ;  and  so,  in  a  few  minutes,  a  blazing  Bre 
roared  up  among  the  trees,  —  spouted  volumes  of  sparks 
into  the  air,  like  a  gigantic  squib,  which  made  it  quite  a 
marvel  that  all  the  bushes  in  the  neighborhood  were  not 
burnt  up  at  once,  — glared  out  red  and  fierce  upon  the 
rippling  water,  until  it  became,  as  it  were,  redhot  in  ths 
neighborhood  of  the  boats ;  and  caused  the  night  to  be- 
come suddenly  darker  by  contrast ;  the  night  reciprocat- 
ing the  compliment,  as  it  grew  later,  by  causing  the  space 
around  the  fire  to  glow  brighter  and  brighter,  until  it  be- 
came a  brilliant  chamber,  surrounded  by  walls  of  the 
blackest  ebony. 

While  Pierre  was  thus  engaged,  there  were  at  least 
ten  voyageurs  similarly  occupied.  Ten  steels  were  made 
instrumental  in  creating  ten  sparks,  which  were  sever- 
ally captured  by  ten  pieces  of  tinder,  and  whirled  round 
by  ten  lusty  arms,  until  ten  flames  were  produced,  an'! 
ten  fires  sprang  up  and  flared  wildly  on  the  busy  scene 
that  had  a  fft^N  hours  before  been  so  calm,  so  solitary,  and 
so  peaceful,  bathed  in  the  soft  beams  of  the  setting  sun. 

In  less  than  half  an  hour  the  several  camps  were  com- 
pleted ;  the  kettles  boiling  over  the  fires;  the  men  smok- 
ing in  every  variety  of  attitude,  and  talking  loudly.  It 
was  a  cheerful  scene ;  and  so  Charley  thought,  as  he  re- 
clined in  his  canvas  tent,  the  opening  of  which  faced  the 
fire,  and  enabled  him  to  see  all  that  was  going  on. 

Pierre  was  standing  over  the  great  kettle,  dancing 
round  it,  and  making  sudden  plunges  with  a  stick  into 
It,  in  the  desperate  effort  to  stir  its  boiling  contents,— 
desperate,  because  the  fire  was  \evy  fierce  and  »arge,  and 
the  flames  seemed  to  take  a  fiendish  pleasure  in  Teaping 


106 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


M 


up  suddenly  just  under  Pierre's  nose,  thereby  endanger- 
ing his  beard,  or  shooting  out  between  his  legs,  and  lick- 
ing round  them  at  most  unexpected  moments,  when  the 
light  wind  ought  to  have  been  blowing  them  quite  in  the 
opposite  direction  ;  and  then,  as  he  danced  round  to  the 
other  side  to  avoid  them,  wheeling  about  and  roaring 
viciously  in  his  face,  until  it  seemed  as  if  the  poor  man 
would  be  roasted  long  before  the  supper  was  boiled. 
Indeed,  what  between  the  ever-changing  and  violent 
flames,  the  rolling  smoke,  the  steam  from  the  kettle,  the 
showering  sparks,  and  the  man's  own  wild  grimaces  and 
violent  antics,  Pierre  seemed  to  Charley  like  a  raging 
demon,  who  danced  not  only  round,  but  above,  and  on, 
and  through,  and  in  the  flames,  as  if  they  were  his  natu- 
ral element,  in  which  he  took  special  delight. 

Quite  close  to  the  tent,  the  massive  form  of  Louis  the 
guide  lay  extended,  his  back  supported  by  the  stump  of 
a  tree ;  his  eyes  blinking  sleepily  at  the  blaze,  and  his 
beloved  pipe  hanging  from  his  lips,  while  wreaths  of 
smoke  encircled  his  head.  Louis's  day's  work  was  done. 
Few  could  do  a  better ;  and,  when  his  work  was  over, 
Louis  always  acted  on  the  belief  that  his  position  and 
his  years  entitled  him  to  rest,  and  took  things  very  easy 
in  consequence. 

Six  of  the  boat's  crew  sat  in  a  semicircle  beside  the 
guide  and  fronting  the  fire,  each  paying  particular  atten- 
tion to  his  pipe,  and  talking  between  the  puffs  to  any  one 
who  chose  to  listen. 

Suddenly  Pierre  vanished  into  the  smoke  and  flames 
altogether,  whence,  in  another  moment,  he  issued,  bearin<y 
in  his  hand  the  large  tin  kettle,  which  he  deposited  tri- 
umphantly at  the  feet  of  his  comrades. 

"'  Now  then  ! "  cried  Pierre. 


FKOM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


107 


It  was  unnece3sary  to  have  said  even  that  much  by 
way  of  invitation.  Voyageurs  do  not  require  to  have 
their  food  pressed  upon  them  after  a  hard  day's  work. 
Indeed  it  was  as  much  as  they  could  do  to  refrain  from 
laying  violent  hands  on  the  kettle  long  before  their  wor- 
thy cook  considered  its  contents  sufficiently  done. 

Charley  sat  in  company  with  Mr.  Park,  —  a  chief  fac- 
tor, on  his  way  to  Norway  House.  Gibault,  one  of  the 
men  who  acted  as  their  servant,  had  placed  a  kettle  of 
hot  tea  before  them,  which  with  several  slices  of  buffalo 
tongue,  a  lump  of  pemmican,  and  some  hard  biscuit  and 
butter,  formed  their  evening  meal.  Indeed,  we  may  add 
that  these  viands,  during  a  great  part  of  the  voyage,  con- 
stituted their  every  meal.  In  fact,  they  had  no  variety 
in  their  fare,  except  a  wild  duck  or  two  now  and  then, 
and  a  goose  when  they  chanced  to  shoot  one. 

Charley  sipped  a  pannikin  of  tea  as  be  reclined  on  his 
blanket,  and,  being  somewhat  fatigued  in  consequence  of 
his  exertions  and  excitement  during  the  day,  said  noth- 
ing. Mr.  Park,'  for  the  same  reasons,  besides  being  nat- 
urally taciturn,  was  equally  mute,  so  they  both  enjoyed 
in  silence  the  spectacle  of  the  men  eating  their  supper 
And  it  was  a  sight  worth  seeing. 

Their  food  consisted  of  rohhiboo,  a  compound  of  flour, 
pemmican,  and  wnter,  boiled  to  the  consistency  of  very 
thick  soup.  Though  not  a  species  of  food  that  would 
satisfy  the  fastidious  taste  of  an  epicure,  robbiboo  is,  nev- 
ertheless, very  wholesome,  exceedingly  nutritious,  and, 
withal,  palatable.  Pemmican,  its  principal  component,  is 
made  of  buffalo  flesh,  which  fully  equals  (some  think 
greatly  excels)  beef.  Th(i  recipe  for  making  it  is  as  fol- 
lows :~  First,  kill  your  buffalo,  — a  matter  of  considera- 
ble difficulty,  by  the  way,  as  doing  so  requires  you  to 


108 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


travel  to  the  buffalo  grounds,  to  arm  yourself  with  a  gun, 
and  mount  a  horse,  on  which  you  have  to  gallop,  perhaps, 
several  miles  over  rough  ground  and  among  badger- 
holes,  at  the  imminent  risk  of  breaking  your  neck.  Then 
you  have  to  run  up  alongside  of  a  buffalo,  and  put  a  ball 
through  his  heart,  which,  apart  from  the  murderous  na- 
ture of  the  action,  is  a  difficult  thing  to  do.  But  we  will 
suppose  that  you  have  killed  your  buffalo.  Then  you 
must  skin  him  ;  then  cut  him  up,  and  slice  the  flesh  into 
layers,  which  must  be  dried  in  the  sun.  At  this  stage  of 
the  process,  you  have  produced  a  substance,  which  in  the 
fur  countries,  goes  by  the  name  of  dried-meat,  and  is 
largely  used  as  an  article  of  food.  As  its  name  implies, 
it  is  very  dry,  and  it  is  also  very  tough,  and  very  unde- 
sirable if  one  can  manage  to  procure  anything  better. 
But  to  proceed.  Having  thus  prepared  dried-meat,  lay 
a  quantity  of  it  on  a  flat  stone,  and  take  another  stone, 
with  which  pound  it  into  shreds.  You  must  then  take 
the  animal's  hide,  while  it  is  yet  new,  and  make  bags  of 
it,  about  two  feet  and  a  half  long,  by  a  foot  and  a  half 
broad.  Into  this  put  the  pounded  meat  loosely.  Melt 
the  fat  of  your  buffalo  over  a  fire,  and,  when  quite  liquid, 
pour  it  into  the  bag  until  full ;  mix  the  contents  well  to- 
gether ;  sew  the  whole  up  before  it  cools,  and  you  have 
a  bag  of  pemmican  of  about  ninety  pounds'  weight.  This 
forms  the  chief  food  of  the  voyageur,  in  consequence  of 
its  being  the  largest  possible  quantity  of  sustenance  com- 
pressed into  the  smallest  possible  space,  and  in  an  ex- 
tremely convenient,  portable  shape.  It  will  keep  fresh 
for  years,  and  has  been  much  used,  ia  consequence,  by 
the  heroes  of  arctic  discovery^  in  their  perilous  journeys 
along  the  shores  of  the  frozen  sea. 

The  voyayeurs  used  no  plates.      Men  who  travel 


m 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH.  iqq 

the.e  countries  become  independent  of  many  things  that 
are  supposed  to  be  necessary  here.  They  sat  in  a  circle 
round  the  kettle ;  each  man  armed  with  a  large  wooden 
or  pewter  spoon,  with  which  he  ladled  the  robbiboo  down 
his  capacious  throat,  in  a  style  that  not  only  caused  Char- 
ley to  laugh,  but  afterwards  threw  him  into  a  deep  reverie 
on  the  powers  of  appetite  in  general,  and  the  strength  of 
voyageiir  stomachs  in  particular.  '^ 

At  first  the  keen  edge,  of  appetite  induced  the  men  to 
eat  m  silence ;  but,  as  the  contents  of  the  kettle  began 
to  get  low,  their  tongues  loosened,  and  at  last,  when  the 
kettles  were  emptied  and  the  pipes  filled,  fresh  logs  thrown 

r  V  K^r';  t"^  '^^'  "™^'  '''^'''^^^  «»t  «r°"nd  them, 
the  babel  of  English,  French,  and  Indian  that  arose  was 

quite  overwhelming.  The  middle-aged  men  told  long 
stones  of  what  they  had  done  ;  the  young  men  boasted  of 
what  they  meant  to  do;  while  the  more  aged  smiled, 
nodded,  smoked  their  pipes,  put  in  a  word  or  two  as  oc 
casion  oflTered,  and  listened.  While  they  conversed,  the 
quick  ears  of  one  of  the  men  of  Chariey's  camp  detected 
some  unusual  sound. 

"  Hist! '»  said  he,  turning  his  head  aside  slightly,  in  a 
hstening  attitude,  while  his  comrades  suddenly  ceased 
their  noisy  laugh. 

"Do  ducks  travel  in  canoes  hereabouts?"  said  the 
man  after  a  moment's  silence ;  "for,  if  not,  there's  some 
one  about  to  pay  „s  a  visit.  I  would  wager  my  best  gun 
that  I  hear  the  stroke  of  paddles." 

},1\^'"'IT'^^  *"""  ^h^'-pe'-.  Franfois,  you  might 
have  hearf  them  some  time  ago,"  said  the  guide,  shaking 
he  ashes  out  of  his  pipe  and  refilling  it  for  the  third 
time. 

"Ah,  Louis,  I  do  not  pretend  to  such  sharp  ears  as 


110 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


you  possess,  nor  to  such  sharp  wit  either.     But  who  do 
you  think  can  be  en  route  so  late  ?  " 

"  That  my  wit  does  not  enable  me  to  divine,"  said 
Louis ;  "  but  if  you  have  any  faith  in  the  sharpness 
of  your  eyes,  I  would  recommend  you  to  go  to  the 
beach  and  see,  as  the  best  and  shortest  way  of  finding 
out." 

By  this  time  the  men  had  risen  and  were  peering  out 
into  the  gloom  in  the  direction  whence  the  sound  came, 
while  one  or  two  sauntered  down  to  the  margin  of  the 
lake  to  meet  the  new-comers. 

"  Who  can  it  be,  I  wonder  ?  "  said  Charley,  who  had 
left  the  tent,  and  was  now  standing  beside  the  guide. 

"  Difficult  to  say,  monsieur.  Perhaps  In] ins  ;  though 
I  thought  there  were  none  here  just  now.  But  I'm  nc„ 
surprised  that  we've  attracted  something  to  us.  Livin' 
creeturs  always  come  nat'rally  to  the  light,  and  there's 
plenty  fire  on  the  point  to-night." 

"  Rather  more  than  enough,"  replied  Charley,  abruptly, 
as  a  slight  motion  of  wind  sent  the  flames  curling  round 
his  head  and  singed  off  his  eyelashes.  "  Why,  Louis,  it's 
my  firm  belief  that  if  I  ever  get  to  the  end  of  this  jour- 
ney, I'll  not  have  a  hair  left  on  my  head." 

Louis  smiled. 

"  Oh,  monsieur,  you  will  learn  to  observe  things  before 
you  have  been  long  in  the  wilderness.  If  you  wiU  edge 
round  to  leeward  of  the  fire,  you  can't  expect  it  to  respect 
you." 

Just  at  this  moment  a  loud  hurrah  rang  through  the 
copse,  and  Harry  Somerville  sprang  over/  the  fire  into 
the  arras  of  Charley,  who  received  him  with  a  hug  and 
a  look  of  unutterable  amazement. 

"  Charley,  my  boy  !  ' 


"I 

Fo 

conipc 

with  ( 

ing  at 

the  iir 

in  thai 

the  tin 

uninte] 

was  in 

save  tc 

was  re 

"Ch 

in  a  m 

only  b( 

further 

•  "  Yei 

tilted   t 

poker  1 

smashec 

'oss'  as  I 

all  for  j 

darling ! 

Hlere 

neck  me 

fond  of 

generate! 

complete 

of  it,  anc 

nearly  bi 

and  indig 

within,  q 

was  over 

expected 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


Ill 


"  Ilnrry  Somerville,  I  declare ! " 
For  at  least  five  minutes  CImrley  could  not  recover  his 
composure  sufficiently  to  declare  anything  else,  but  stood 
w.tl.  open  mouth  and  eyes,  and  elevated  eyebrows,  look- 
ing at  h,s  young  friend,  who  capered  and  danced  round 
the  .re  m  a  manner  that  threw  the  cook's  performances 
.n  that  Ime  qutte  mto  the  shade  ,  while  he  continued  all 
the  time  to  shout  fragments  of  sentences  that  were  quite 
unrntelhgible  to  any  one.     It  was  evident  that   Harrv 
was  m  a  state  of  immense  delight  at  something  unknown 
save  to  himself,  but  which,  in  the  course  of  a  few  minutes,' 
was  revealed  to  his  wondering  friends. 

"  Charley,  I'm  going!  hurrah!"  and  he  leaped  about 
ma  manner  that  induced  Charley  to  say,  he  would  not 
only  be  gomg  but  very  soon  gom,  if  he  did  i;ot  keep 
further  away  from  the  fire. 

•  "Yes,  Charley,  I'm  going  with  you  ;  I  upset  the  stool ; 
td ted  the  mk-bottle  over  the  invoice  book ;  sent  the 
poker  almost  through  the  back  of  the  fireplace  and 
smashed  Tom  Whyte's  best  whip  on  the  back  of  the  '  „oo 
OSS  as  I  galloped  him  over  the  plains  for  the  last  lime- 

Here  Harry  suddenly  threw  his  arms  round  his  friend's 
neck  meduating  an  embrace.    As  both  bo'ys  were  rather 
fond  of  usmg  their  muscles  violently,  the  embrace  de- 
generated mto  a  wrestle  which  caused  them  to  threaten 
complete  destruction  to  the  fire  as  they  staggered  in  f  J 
0   .t  and  ended  m  their  tumbling  against  the  tent  and 
nearly  breakmg  its  poles  and  fastenings,  to  the  horror 
andmd,gnationofMr.Park,whowas  smoking  his  pipe 
within,  quietly  waiting  till  Harrv's  »,m»,.»l,„„.i„_.  _,  . 
«as  over,  that  he  might  get  an 'explanation  oThislin' 
expected  arrival  among  them. 


112 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


iMllHHMIi 

[i|fiiiinpEniiii! 


ilV 


*    Ml 


**  Ah  !  they  will  be  good  voyageurs**  cried  one  of  tlie 
men,  as  he  looked  on  nt  this  scene. 

*'  Oui !  oui !  good  boys,  active  lads,"  replied  the  others, 
laughing.     The  two  boys  rose  hastily. 

"  Yes,"  cried  Harry,  breathless,  but  still  excited,  "I'm 
going  all  the  way,  and  a  great  deal  farther.  I'm  going  to 
hunt  buffaloes  in  the  Saskatchewan,  and  grisly  bears  in 
the  —  the  —  in  fact  everywhere  !  I'm  going  down  the 
Mackenzie  River,  —  I'm  going  mad,  I  believe ; "  and 
Harry  gave  another  caper  and  another  shout,  and  tossed 
his  cap  high  into  the  air  ;  having  been  recklessly  tossed, 
it  came  down  into  the  lii*e ;  —  when  it  went  in  it  was 
dark  blue,  but  when  Harry  dashed  into  the  flames,  in 
consternation,  to  save  it,  it  came  out  of  a  rich  brown 
coloi*.       ' '       - 

"  Now,  youngster,"  said  Mr.  Park,  "  wiien  you've  done 
capering  I  should  like  to  ask  you  one  or  two  questions. 
What  brought  you  here  ?  " 

"  A  canoe,"  said  Harry,  inclined  to  be  impudent. 

"  Oh !  and^  pray  for  what  purpose  have  you  come 
here?" 

"  These  are  my  credentials,"  handing  him  a  letter. 

Mr.  Park  opened  the  note  and  read. 

"  Ah  !  oh  !  Saskatchewan  —  hum  —  yes  —  outpost  — 
wild  boy — just  so  —  keep  him  at  it  —  ay!  fit  for  nothing 
else.  So,"  said  Mr.  Park,  folding  the  paper,  "  I  find  that 
Mr.  Grant  has  sent  you  to  take  the  place  of  a  young 
gentleman  we  expected  to  pick  up  at  Norway  House, 
but  who  is  required  elsewhere  ;  and  that  he  wishes  you 
to  see  a  good  deal  of  rough  life  —  to  be  made  a  trader  of, 
in  fact.     Is  that  your  desire  ?  " 

"  That's  the  very  tickc^^ ; "  replied  Harry,  scarcely  able 

Ivoliaiu    liio  uciIqIxl  fe,    i.i  ..•  U;-.  ^pc 


jpeet. 


FROM  THK   FAR  NORTH. 


113 


«  Well,  then,  you  had  better  get  supper  and  turn  in, 
for  you'll  have  to  begin  your  new  life  by  rising  at  three 
o'clook  to-morrow  morning.     Have  you  got  a  tent  ?  " 

"  Yes,"  said  Harry,  pointing  to  his  canoe,  which  had 
been  brought  to  the  fire  and  turned  bottom  up  by  the 
two  Indians  to  whom  it  belonged,  and  who  were  reclin- 
ing under  its  shelter,  enjoying  their  pipes,  and  watching 
with  looks  of  great  gravity  the  doings  of  Harry  «nd  his 
tnend.  "^ 

"  That  will  return  whence  it  came  to-morrow.  Have 
you  no  other  ?  " 

"Oh,  yc.,'  said  Harry,  pointing  to  the  overhanging 
branches  of  a  willow  close  at  hand,  '*  lots  more." 

Mr.  Park  smiled  grimly,  and  turning  on  his  heel 
reentered  the  tent  and  continued  his  pipe,  while  Harnr 
flung  himself  down  beside  Charley  under  the  bark  canoe. 

Ihis  species  of  «tent»  is,  however,  by  no  means  a 
perfect  one.    An  Indian  canoe  is  seldom  three  feet  broad 
-- frequently  much   narrower,  — so  that  it  only  affords" 
shelter  for  the  body  as  far  down  as  the  waist,  leaving  the- 
extremities  exposed.    True,  one  may  double  up  as  nearly 
as  possible  into  half  one's  length,  but  this  is  not  a  de^ 
sirable  position  to  maintain  throughout  an  entire  night 
Sometimes,  when  the  weather  is  very  bad,  an  additional 
protection  is  procured  by  leaning  several  poles  against 
the  bottom  of  .he  canoe,  on  the  weather  side,  in,  such  a 
^ay  as  to  slope  considerably  over  the  front;   and  over 
^  '3se  are  spread  pieces  of  birch  bark  or  branches  and 
moss,  so  as  to  form  a  screen,  which  is  an  admirable  shel-  " 
ter.    But  this  involves  too  much  time  and  labor  to  be 
adopted  during  a  voyage,  and  is  only  done  when  the  trav- 
ellers are  under  the  necessity  of  remaining  for  some  time    ' 
3n  one  place. 


114 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


'!| 


:Fli  list  I!iit!iii:::^»iaieiiii!nfiiiii 


The  canoe  in  which  Tlarry  arrived  was  a  pretty  large 
one,  and  looked  so  comfortable  when  arranged  fox*  the 
night,  that  Charley  resolved  to  abandon  his  own  tent  and 
Mr.  Park's  society,  and  sleep  with  his  friend. 

« I'll  sleep  with  you,  Harry,  my  boy,"  said  he,  after 
Harry  had  exp]ained  to  him  in  detail  the  cause  of  his 
being  sent  away  from  Red  River ;  which  was  no  other 
than  thfat  a  young  gentleman,  as  Mr.  Park  said,  who  was 
to  have  gone,  had  been  ordered  elsewhere. 

"  That's  right,  Chcrley,  spread  out  our  blankets,  while 
I  get  some  supper,  like  a  good  fellow."  Harry  went  in 
search  of  the  kettle  while  his  friend  prepared  their  bed. 
First,  he  examined  the  ground  on  which  the  canoe  lay, 
and  found  that  the  two  Indians  had  already  taken  pos- 
session of  the  only  level  places  under  it.  "  Humph ! " 
he  ejaculated,  half  inclined  to  rouse  them  up,  but  imme- 
diately dismissed  the  idea  as  unworthy  of  a  voyageur. 
Besides,  Charley  was  an  amiable,  unselfish  fellow,  and 
would  rather  have  lain  on  the  top  of  a  dozen  stumps 
than  have  made  himself  comfortable  at  the  expense  of 
any  one  else. 

He  paused  a  moment  to  consider.  On  one  side  was  a 
hollow,  "that"  (as  he  soliloquized  to  himself)  "would 
break  the  back  of  a  buffalo."  On  the  other  side  were  a 
dozen  little  stumps  surrounding  three  very  prominent 
ones,  that  threatened  destruction  to  the  ribs  of  any  one 
who  should  venture  to  lie  there.  But  Charley  did  not 
pause  to  consider  long.  Seizing  his  axe,  he  laid  about 
him  vigorously  with  the  head  of  it,  and  in  a  few  seconds 
destroyed  all  the  stumps,  which  he  carefully  collected, 
and,  along  with  some  loose  moss  and  twigs,  put  into  the 
hollow,  and  so  filled  it  up.  Having  improved  thin.^s 
thus  far,  he  rose  and  strode  out  of  the  circle  of  light  into 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


115 


the  wood.     In  a  few  minutes  he  reappeared,  bearing  a 
young  spruce-fir  tree  on  his  shoulder,  which,  with  the 
axe,  he  stripped  of  its  branches.     These  branches  were 
fiat  in  form,  and  elastic,  —  admirably  adapted  for  making 
a  bed  on  ;  and  when  Charley  spread  them  out  under  the 
cance  in  a  pile  of  about  four  inches  in  depth,  by  four  feet 
broad,  and  six  feet  long,  the  stumps  and  the  hollow  were 
overwhelmed  altogether.   He  then  ran  to  Mr.  Park's  tent, 
and  fetched  thence  a  small  flat  bundle,  covered  with  oil' 
cloth,  and  tied  with  a  rope.     Opening  this,. he  tossed  out 
its  contents,  which  were  two  large  and  very  thick  blank- 
ets,—one  green,  the  other  white  ;  a  particularly  minute 
feather  pillow,  a  pair  of  moccasons,  a  broken  comb,  and  a 
bit  of  soap.     Then  he  opened  a  similar  bundle,  contain- 
ing Harry's  bed,  which  he  likewise  tossed  out;  and  then 
kneeling  down,  he  spread  the  two  white  blankets  on  the 
top  of  the  branches,  the  two  green  blankets  above  these, 
and  the  two  pillows  at  the  top,  as  far  under  the  shelterof 
the  canoe  as  he  could  push  them.    Plaving  completed  the 
whole  in  a  manner  that  would  have  done  credit  to  a 
chambermaid,  he  continued  to  sit  on  his  knees,  with  his 
hands  in  his  pockets,  smiling  Complacently,  and  savine 
"capital  — firstrate!"  ^' 

"  Here  we  are,  Charley,      fiave  a  second  supper  — 

do  I  '  ^^ 

Harry  placed  the  smoking  kettle  by  the  head  of  the 
bed ;  and  squatting  down  beside  it,  began  to  eat,  as  only 
a  boy  can  eat  who  has  had  nothing  since  breakfast. 

Charley  attacked  the  kettle  too  —  as  he  said  "  out  of 
sympathy,"  although  he  "  wasn't  hungry  a  bit."  And 
really,  for  a  man  who  was  not  hungry,  and  had  supped 

half  an  iiniif  l-.of/T,».«    *v.^ j?.        n 

.  „  " --^^.xc,  ixic  appcuie  oi  syin^^auiy  wns  wonder- 
fully strong. 


116 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


m 


But  Harry's  powers  of  endurance  were  now  exhausted. 
He  had  spent  a  long  day  of  excessive  fatigue  and  excite- 
ment ;  and,  having  wound  it  up  with  a  heavy  supper 
sleep  began  to  assail  him  with  a  fell  ferocity  that  nothing 
could  resist.     He  yawned  once  or  twice,  and  sat  on  the 
bed,  blinking  unmeaningly  at  the  fire,  as  if  he  had  some- 
thing to  say  to  it,   which   he   could   not   recollect  just 
then.     He  nodded  violently,  much  to  his  own  surprise, 
once  or  twice,   and    began  to  address  remarks   to  the 
kettle  instead  of  to  his   friend.     "I  say,  Charley,  this 
won't  do.     I'm  off  to  bed !  "  and,  suiting  the  action  to 
the  word,  he  took  off  his  coat  and  placed  it  on  his  pillow. 
He  then  removed  his  moccasous,  which  were  wet,  and 
put  on  a  dry  pair ;  and  this  being  all  that  is  ever  done 
in  the  way  of  preparation  before  going  to  bed  in  the 
woods,  he  lay  down  and  pulled  the  green  blankets  over 
him. 

Before  doing  so,  however,  Harry  leant  his  head  on  his 
hands  and  prayed.     This  was  the  one  link  left  of  the 
chain  of  habit  with  which  he  had  left  home.     Until  the 
period  of  his  departure  for  the  wild  scenes  of  the  North- 
west, Harry  had  lived  in  a  quiet,  happy  home  in   the 
West   Highlands  of  Scotland,  where  he  had  been   sur- 
rounded   by  the    benign*  influences    of    a   family,   the 
members  of  which  were  united  by  the  sweet  bonds  of 
Christian  love,  —  bonds  which  were  strengthened  by  the 
additional  tie  of  amiability  of  disposition.     From  child- 
hood he  had  been  accustomed  to  the  routine  of  a  pious 
and  well-regulated  household,  where  the  Bible  was  pe- 
rused and  spoken  of  with  an  interest  that  indicated  a 
genuine  hungering  and  thirsting  after  righteousness,  and 
where  the^name  of  Jesus  sounded  often  and  sweetly  on 
the  ear.     Under  such  training,  Harry,  though  naturally 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


117 


of  a  wild,  volatile  disposition,  was  deeply  and  irresistibly 
impressed  with  a  reverence  for  sacred  things,  which,  now 
that  he  was  thousands  of  miles  away  from  his  peaceful 
home,  clung  to  him  with  the  force  of  old  habit  and  asso- 
ciation, despite  the  jeers  of  comrades,  and  the  evil  in- 
fluences and   ungodliness  by  which  he  was  surrounded. 
It  is  true  that  he  was  not  altogether  unhurt  by  the  wither- 
ing indifference  to  God  that  he  beheld  on  all  sides.  Deep 
impression  is  not  renewal  of  heart.     But  early  training 
in  the  path  of  Christian  lojre  saved  him  many  a  deadly 
fall.     It  guarded  him  from  many  of  the  grosser  sins  into 
which  other  boys,  who  had   merely  broken   away  from 
the  restraints  of  home,  too  easily  fell.     It  twined  round 
him  —  as  the  ivy  encircles  the  oak  —  with  a  soft,  tender 
but  powerful   grasp,  that  held  him  back  when  he  was 
tempted  to  dash  aside  all  restraint  —  and  held  him  up, 
when,  in  the  weakness  of  his   human   nature,  he  was 
about  to  fall.     It  exerted  its  benign  sway  over  him  in  the 
silence  of  night  when  his  thoughts  reverted  to  home,  and 
during  his  waking  hours,  when  he  wandered  from  scene 
to  scene  in  the  wide  wilderness ;  and  in  after-years,  when 
sin  prevailed,  and  intercourse  with  rough  men  had  worn 
off  much  of  at  least  the  superficial  amiability  of  his  char- 
acter, and  to  some  extent  blunted  the  finer  feelings  of  his 
nature,  it  clung  faintly  to  him  still,  in  the  memory  of 
his  mother's  gentle  look  and   tender  voice,  and   never 
forsook  him  altogether.    Home  had  a  blessed  and  power- 
ful influence  on  Harry.     May  God  bless  such   homes, 
where  the  ruling  power  is  love  J    God  bless  and  multiply 
such  homes  in  the  earth !     Were  there  more  of  them, 
there  would  be  fewer  heart-broken  mothers,  to  weep  over 

J  „.   .,.,_.  „I^.^^I„II,J^J  liiuiiiy  uoys  iney  sent  away 

to  foreign  climes  —  with  trembling  hearts,  but  high  hopes 


118 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


—  and  never  saw  them  more.  They  were  vessels  launch- 
ed upon  the  troubled  sea  of  time,  with  stout  timbers, 
firm  masts,  and  gallant  sails,  —  with  all  that  was  neces- 
sary above  and  below,  from  stem  to  stern,  lor  battling 
with  the  billows  of  adverse  fortune,  for  stemming  the 
tide  of  opposition,  for  riding  the  storms  of  persecution, 
or  bounding  with  a  press  of  canvas  before  the  gales  of 
prosperity ;  but  without  the  rudder  —  without  the  guid- 
ing principle  that  renders  the  great  power  of  plank  and 
sail  and  mast  available ;  with  which  the  vessel  moves 
obedient  to  the  owner's  will;  without  which,  it  drifts 
about  with  every  current,  and  sails  along  with  every  shift- 
ing wind  that  blows.  Yes ;  may  the  best  blessings  of 
prosperity  and  peace  rest  on  such  families,  whose  bread, 
cast  continually  on  the  waters,  returns  to  them  after  many 
days! 

After  Harry  had  lain  down,  Charley,  who  did  not  feel 
inclined  for  repose,  sauntered  to  the  margin  of  the  lake, 
and  sat  down  upon  a  rock. 

It  was  a  beautiful  calm  evening.  The  moon  shone 
faintly  through  a  mass  of  heavy  clouds,  casting  a  pale 
light  on  the  waters  of  Lake  Winnipeg,  which  stretched, 
without  a  ripple,  out  to  the  distant  horizon.  The  great 
fresh-water  lakes  of  America  bear  a  strong  resemblance 
to  the  sea.  In  storms  the  waves  rise  mountains  hi^^h, 
and  break  with  heavy  sullen  roar  upon  a  beach,  com- 
posed, in  many  places,  of  sand  and  pebbles ;  while  they 
are  so  large  that  one  not  only  looks  out  to  a  straight 
horizon,  but  may  even  sail  out  of  sight  of  land  altogether. 
As  Charley  sat  resting  his  head  on  his  hand,  and 
listening  to  the  soft  hiss  that  the  ripples  made  upon  the 
beach,  he  felt  all  the  solemnizing  influence  that  steals 
irresistibly  over  the  mind  as  we  sit  on  a  still  night  gazing 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


n9 


out  upon  the  moonlit  sea.     His  thoughts  were  sad ;  for 
he  thought  of  Kate,  and  his  mother  and  father,  and  the 
home  he  was  now  leaving.     He  remembered  all  that  he 
had  ever  done  to  injure  or  annoy  the  dear  ones  he  was 
leaving ;  and  it   is  strange   how  much  .  alive   our  con- 
sciences become,  when  we  are  unexpectedly  or  suddenly 
removed  from  those  with  whom  we  have  lived  and  held 
daily  intercourse.     How  bitterly  we  reproach  ourselves 
for  harsh  words,  unkind  actions ;  and  how  intensely  we 
long  for  one  word  more  with  them,  one  fervent  embrace, 
to  prove  at  once  that  all  we  have  ever  said  or  done  was 
not  meant  ill ;   and,  at  any   rate,  is   deeply,  sincerely 
repented  of  now  !     As  Charley  looked  up  into  the  starry 
sky,   his   mind   recurred  to  the  parting   words  of  Mr. 
Addison.      With    uplifted   hands  and   a  full  heart,  he 
prayed  that  God  would  bless,  for  Jesus's  sake,  the  be- 
loved ones  in  Red  River,  but  especially  Kate ;  for,  whether 
he  prayed  or  meditated,  Charley's  thoughts  always  ended  , 
with  Kate. 

A  black  cloud  passed  across  the  moon,  and  reminded 
him  that  but  a  few  hours  of  the  night  remained ;  so, 
hastening  up  to  the  camp  again,  he  lay  gently  down 
beside  his  friend,  and  drew  the  green  blanket  over  him. 

In  the  camp  all  was  silent.  The  men  had  chosen  their 
several  beds  according  to  fancy,  under  the  shadow  of  a 
bush  or  tree.  The  fires  had  burnt  low  —  so  low,  that  it 
was  with  difficulty  Charley  as  he  lay  could  discern  the- 
recumbent  forms  of  the  men,  whose  presence  was  in- 
dicated by  the  deep,  soft,  regular  breathing  of  tired,  but 
healthy  constitutions.  Sometimes  a  stray  moonbeam  shot 
through  the  leaves  and  branches,  and  cast  a  ghostlike^ 
flickering  light  over  the  scene,  which  ever  and  anon  was 
rendered  more  mysterious  by  a  red  flare  of  the  fire  as  an. 


i 


120 


SNOWFLAKES   AND  SUNBEAMS 


ember  fell,  blazed  up  for  an  instant,  and  left  all  shrouded 
in  greater  darkness  than  before. 

At  first,  Charley  continued  his  sad  thoughts,  staring 
all  the  while  at  the  red  embers  of  the  expiring  fire ;  but 
soon  his  eyes  began  to  blink,  and  the  stumps  o£  trees 
began  to  assume  the  form  of  voyageurs,  &nd  voyageurs 
to  look  like  stumps  of  trees.     Then  a  moonbeam  darted 
in,  and  Mr.  Addison  stood  on  the  other  side  of  the  fire. 
At    this   sight  Charley  started,  and   Mr.   Addison  dis- 
appeared, while  the  boy  smiled  to  think  how  he  had  been 
dreaming  while  only  half-asleep.     Then  Kate  appeared, 
and   seemed  to  smile  on  him ;   but  another  ember  fell, 
and  another  red  flame  sprang  up,  and  put  her  to  flight 
too.     Then   a  low   sigh   of  wind   rustled  through   the 
branches,  and  Charley  felt  sure  that  he  saw  Kate  again 
coming  through  the  woods,  singing  the  low,  soft  tune  that 
she  was   so   fond   of  singing,  because  it  was    his    own 
favorite   air.      But  soon  the  air  ceased)  the  fire  faded 
away  j  so  did  the  trees,  and  the  sXee^mg  voyageurs-;  Kate 
last  of  all  dissolved,  and  Charley  sank  into  a  deep,  un- 
.troubled  slumber. 


r'if'i 


FROM  THE  FAR   NORTH. 


121 


CHAPTER  X. 

VARIETIES,  TEXATIONS,  AND  VICISSITUDES. 

T  IFE  is  checkered,  —  there  is  no  doubt  about  that; 
J-'  whatever  doubts  a  man  may  entertain  upon  other 
subjects,  he  can  have  none  upon  this,  we  feel  quite  cer- 
tain. In  fact,  so  true  is  it,  that  we  would  not  for  a 
moment  have  drawn  the  reader's  attention  to  it  here, 
were  it  not  that  our  experience  of  life  in  the  back- 
woods corroborates  the  truth,  —  and  truth,  however  well 
corroborated,  is  none  the  worse  of  getting  a  little  additional 
testimony  now  and  then,  in  this  skeptical  generation. 

Life  .is  checkered,  then,  undoubtedly.  And  life  in  the 
backwoods  strengthens  the  proverb,  for  it  is  a  peculiar- 
ly  striking  and  remarkable  specimen  of  life's  variegated 
character. 

There  is  a  difference  between  sailing  smoothly  along 
the  shores  of  Lake  Winnipeg  with  favoring  breezes,  and 
being   tossed  on  its  surging  billows  by  the  howling  of 
a  nor' west  wind,  that  threatens  destruction  to  the  boat, 
or  forces  it  to  seek  shelter  on  the  shore.     This  difference 
IS  one  of  the  checkered  scenes  of  which  we  write,  and 
one  that  was  experienced  by  the  brigade  more  than  once,  . 
during  its  passage  across  the  lake. 

Since  we  are  dealing  in  truisms,  it  may  not,  perhaps, 

jii.„.,.e  „^xe  lu  oaj,  LiiuL  gomg  to  oeu  at  liight  is 

not  by  any  means  getting  up  in  the  morning,  --  at  least  so 


122 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


several  of  our  friends  found  to  be  the  case,  when  the  deep 
sonorous  voice  of  Louis   Peltier  sounded    through  the 
camp  on  the  following  morning,  just   as  a  verv  faint 
scarcely  perceptible,  light  tinged  the  eastern  sky.         ' 

enflnsr  '  ''"  *    ''"'"  ''  "^^'^  "^'^^-^   ^--'  -es 
Some  of  Louis's  infants  replied  to  the  summons  in  a 
way  that  would  have  done  credit  to  a  harlequin.     One  or 
two  active  little  Canadians,  on  hearing  the  cry  of  the  awful 
word,  te,  rose  to  their  feet  with  a  quick  bound,  as  if 
they  had  been  keeping  up  an  appearance  of  sleep  as  a 
sort  of  practical  joke  all  night,  on  purpose  to  be  ready  to 
eap  as  the  first  sound  fell  from  the  guide's  lips.     Others 
lay  still,  m  the  same  attitude  in  which  they  had  fallen 
asleep,  having  made  up  their  minds,  apparently,  to  lie 
tnere  m  spite  of  all  the  guides  in  the  worid.     Not  a  i^y, 
got  slowly  into  the  sitting  position,  their  hair  dishevelled 
their  caps  awry,  their  eyes  alternately  winking  very  hard 
and  staring  awfully  in  the  vain  effort  to  keep  open,  and 
their  whole  physiognomy  wearing  an  expression  of  blank 
stupidity  that  is  peculiar  to  man  when  engaged  in  that 
struggle  which  occurs  each  morning  as  he  endeavors  to 
disconnect  and   shake  off  the  entanglement  of  nightly 
dreams,  and  the  realities  of  the  breaking  day.     Throucrh- 
out  the  whole  camp  there  was  a  low  muffled  sound,  as°of 
men  moving  lazily,  with  broken  whispers  and  disjointed 
sentences  uttered  in  very  deep  hoarse  tones,  mingled  with 
confused    unearthly   noises,   which,  upon   consideration, 
sounded  like  prolonged  yawns.     Gradually  these  sounds 
mcreased,for  the  guide's  -Veve-  is  inexorable,  and  the 
voyageur's  fate  inevitable. 

"  Oh,  dear !  -  yei  a  -  a ow  "  {yawning)  ;  "  bans 

your  leve !''  ...  ^ 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


123 


"  Oui,  vraiment  —  yei  a  —  a ow  —  morbleu  I " 

"  Eh,  what's  that  ?     Oh,  misere  !  " 

"  Tare  an'  ages  ! "  (from  an  Irishman,)  «  an'  I  had  only 
got  to  slaape  yit  I  but  — yei  a  —  a ow  !  " 

French  and  Irish  yawns  are  very  similar,  the  only 
difference  being,  that  whereas  the  Frenchman  finishes  the 
yawn  resignedly,  and  springs  to  his  legs,  the  Irishman 
finishes  it  with  an  energetic  gasp,  as  if  he  were  hurling 
it  remonstratively  into  the  face  of  Fate,  turns  round  again 
and  shuts  his  eyes  doggedly,  — a  piece  of  bravado  which 
he  knows  is  useless  and  of  very  short  duration. 

"  Leve !  leve  ! !  leve  ! ! ! "  There  was  no  mistake  this 
time  m  the  tones  of  Louis's  voice.  «  Embark,  embark, 
vite  !  vite  !  " 

The  subdued  sounds  of  rousing  broke  into  a  loud 
buzz  of  active  preparation,  as  the  men  busied  themselves 
in  bundling  up  blankets,  carrying  down  camp-kettles  to 
the  lake,  launching  the  boats,  kicking  up  lazy  comrades, 
stumbhng  over  and  swearing  at  fallen  trees  which  were 
not  visible  in  the  cold  uncertain  light  of  the  early  dawn, 
searching  hopelessly,  among  a  tangled  conglomeration  of 
leaves  and  broken  branches  and  crushed  herbage  for  lost 
pipes  and  mi- r  co-pouches. 

"Hallo!"  excj.  Hairy  Somerville,  starting  sud- 

denly  from  his  s.  _  ag  posture,  and  unintentionally 
cramming  his  elbow  into  Charley's  mouth ;  « I  declare 
they're  all  up  and  nearly  ready  to  start." 

"  That's  no  reason,"  replied  Charley,  «  why  you  should 
knock  out  all  my  front  teeth,  is  \i'i  " 

Just  then  Mr.  Park  issued  from  his  tent,  dressed  and 
ready  to  step  into  his  boat.     He  first  gave  a  glance  round 

the  camn  to  s***»  thif  "11  f>>c  t-^/i-w  ,  .         ,        - 

.  -j_  lu  » —  uuti  «ii  tne  men  were  moving,  then  he 

looked  up  through  the  trees  to  ascertain  the  present  state, 


124 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


III  % 


and,  if  possible,  the  future  prospects  of  the  weather. 
Having  come  to  a  satisfactory  conclusion  on  that  head,  he 
drew  forth  his  pipe  and  began  to  fill  it,  when  his  eye  Veil 
on  the  two  boys,  who  were  still  sitting  up  in  their  lairs 
and  staring  idiotically  at  the  place  where  the  tire  had 
been,  as  if  the  white  ashes,  half-burnt  logs,  and  bits  of 
cha  coal,  were  a  sight  of  the  most  novel  and  interestinrr 
•  character,  that  filled  them  with  intense  amazement.        ° 

Mr.  Park  could  scarce  forbear  smiling. 

"  Hallo,  youngsters,  precious  voyageurs  you'll  make,  to 
be  sure,  if  this  is  the  way  you're  going  to  begin.  Don't 
you  see  that  the  things  are  all  aboard,  and  we'll  be  ready 
to  start  in  five  minutes,  and  you  sitting  there  with  your 
neckcloths  off  ?  " 

Mr.  Pdrk  ga^^e  a  slight  sneer  when  he  spoke  of  neck- 
cloths, as  if  he  thought  in  the  first  place,  tliat  they  were 
quite^  superfluous  portions  of  attire,  and,  in  the  second 
place,  that  having  once  put  them  on,  the  taking  of  thera 
off  at  night  was  a  piece  of  effeminacy  altogether  unwor- 
thy of  a  Nor'wester. 

Charley  and  Harry  needed  no  second  rebuke.  It 
flashed  instantly  upon  them  that,  sleeping  comfortably 
under  their  blankets  when  the  men  were  bustling  about 
the  camp,  was  extremely  inconsistent  with  the°  heroic 
resolves  of  the  previous  day.  They  sprang  up,  rolled 
their  blankets  in  the  oil-cloths,  which  they  fastened 
tightly  with  ropes;  tied  the  neckcloths,  held  in  such  con- 
tempt  by  Mr.  Park,  in  a  twinkling ;  threw  on  their  coats, 
and  in  less  than  five  minutes  were  ready  to  embark. 
They  then  found  that  they  might  have  done  things  more 
leisurely,  as  the  crews  had  not  yet  got  all  their  traps  on 
board,  so  they  began  to  look  around  thera,  and  discov- 
ered that  each  had  omitted  to  pack  up  a  blanket. 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


125 


Very  much  crestfallen  at  their  stupidity,  they  pro- 
ceeded to  untie  the  bundles  again,  when  it  became  ap- 
parent to  the  eyes  of  Ciiarley  tliat  his  friend  liad  put  on 
iiis  capote  inside  out,  which  had  a  peculiarly  ragged  and 
grotesque  effect.      These  mistakes  were  soon  rectified ; 
and  shouldering  their  beds,  they  carried  them  down  to' 
the  boat  and  tossed  them   in.     Meanwhile,  Uv.  Park 
who  had  been  watching  the  movements  of  the  boys  with 
a  peculiar  smile,  that  filled  them  with  confusion,  went 
round  the  different  camps  to  see  that  nouiii.g  was  I'eft  be- 
hind.    The  men  were  all  in  their  places  with  oars  ready 
and  the  boats  floating  on  the  calm  water,  a  yard  or  two 
from  shore,  with  the  exception  of  the  guide's  boat,  the 
stern  of  which  still  rested  on  the  sand,  awaiting  Mr.  Park 
"Who  docs  this  belong  to?"  shouted  that  gentleman! 
holding  up  a  cloth  cap,  part  of  which  was  of  a  mottled 
brown  and  part  deep  blue. 

Harry  instantly  tore  the  covering  from  his  head,  and 
discovered  that  among  his  numerous  mistakes  he  had  put 
on  the  head-dress  of  one  of  the  Indians  who  had  brou^^ht 
h.m  to  the  camp.  To  do  him  justice,  the  cap  was  not 
unlike  his  own,  excepting  that  it  was  a  little  more  mot- 
tied  and  dirty  in  color,  besides  beihg  decorated  with  u 
gaudy  but  very  much  crushed  and  broken  feather. 

"You  had  better  change  with  our  friend  here,  I  think  " 
said  Mr.  Park,  grinning  from  ear  to  ear,  as  he  tossed  the 
cap  to  Its  owner,  while  Harry  handed  the  other  to  the 
Indian,  amid  the  laughter  of  the  crew. 

"Never  mind,  boy,"  added  Mr.  Park,  in  an  encoura<.. 
^ng  tone,  "  you'll  make  a  vo^affeur  yet.     Now  then,  lad° 
give  way,"  and  with  a  nod  to  the  Indians,  who  stood  on 

the  shore  watching  their  departure,  th^  f,.o^o.  . 

into  the  boat  and  took  his  place  beside  the  two  boys. 


126 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


liil 


yij: 


uiLhLi^imm 


"  IIo !  sing,  mes  gar9onsi,"  cried  the  guide,  seizing  the 
massive  sweep  and  directing  the  boat  out  to  sea. 

At  this  part  of  the  lake  there  occurs  a  deep  bay  or 
inlet,  to  save  rounding  which  travellers  usually   strike 
straight  across  from  point  to  point,  making  what  is  called 
in  voyageur  parlance   a  traverse.      These  traverses  are 
subjects  of  considerable  anxiety,  and  frequently  of  delay 
to   travellers,  being  sometimes  of  considerable   extent, 
varying  from  four  anf^.  five— and,  in  such  immense  seas 
as  Lake  Superior— to  fourteen  miles.     With  boats,  in- 
deed, there  is  little  to  fear,  as  the  inland  craft  of  the  fur 
traders  can  stand  a  heavy  sea,  and  often  ride  out  a  pretty 
severe  storm ;  but  it  is  far  otherwise  with  the  bark  canoes 
that  are  often  used  in  travelling.     These  frail  craft  can 
stand  very  little  sea,  —  their  frames  being  made  of  thin, 
flat  slips  of  wood  and  sheets  of  bark,  not  more  than  a 
quarter  of  an  inch  thick,  which  are  sewed  together  with 
the  fibrous  roots  of  the  pine  (called  by  the  natives  wat- 
tape),  and  rendered  water-tight  by  means  of  melted  gum. 
Although  light  and  buoyant  therefore,  and  extremely  use- 
ful in  a  country  where  portages  are  numerous,  they  re- 
quire very  tender  usage ;  and  when  a  traverse  has  to  be 
made,  the  guides  hate  always  a  grave  consultation  with 
some  of  the  most  sagacious  among  the  men,  as  to  the 
probability  of  the  wind  rising  or  falling;  —  consultations 
which  are  more  or  less  marked  by  anxiety  and  tedious- 
ness  in  proportion  to  the  length  of  the  traverse,  the  state 
of  the  weather,  and  the  courage  or  timidity  of  the  guides. 
On  the  present  occasion  there  was  no  consultation,  as 
has  been  already  seen.     The  traverse  was  a  short  one, 
the  morning  fine,  and  the  boats  good.     A  warm  glow  be- 
gan to  overspread  the  horizon,  giving  promise  of  a  splen. 
uiu  «ty,  Mj  LUC  liUmeiuus  uars  uippcu  wiih  a  piasn  ana  a 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


127 


loud  hisa  into  the  water,  and  sent  the  boats  leaping  forth 
upon  the  white  wave. 

"  Sing,  sing  I "  cried  the  guide  again  ;  and  clearing  his 
throat,  he  began  the  beautiful  quiek-tuned  canoe  song 
"  Rose  Blanche,"  to  which  the  men  chorused  with  such 
power  of  lungs,  that  a  family  of  plovers  which,  up  to  that 
tjrae,  had  stood  in  mute  astonishment  on  a  sandy  point, 
tumbled  precipitately  into  the  water,  from  which  they 
rose  with  a  shrill,  inexpressibly  wild,  plaintive  cry,  and 
fled  screaming  away  to  a  more  secure  refuge  among  the 
reeds  and  sedges  of  a  swamp.     A  number  of  ducks,  too 
awakened  by  the  unwonted  sound,  shot  suddenly  out 
from  the  concealment  of  their  night's  bivouac  with  erect 
heads  and  startled  looks,  spluttered  heavily  over  the  sur- 
face  of  their  liquid  bed,  and  rising  into  the  ajr,  flew  in  a 
wide  crcuit,  with  whistling  wings,  away  from  the  scene 
of  so  much  uproar  and  confusion. 

The  rough  voices  of  the  men  grew  softer  and  softer,  as 
he  two  Indians  listened  to  the  song  of  their  departing 
friends,  mellowing  down  and  becoming  more  harmonious 
and  more  plaintive  as  the  distance  increased,  and  the 
boats  grew  smaller  and  smaller,  until  they  were  lost  in 
he  blaze  of  light  that  now  bathed  both  water  and  sky  in 
the  eastern  horizon,  and  began  rapidly  to  climb  the  ze- 
nith while  the  sweet  tones  became  less  and  less  audible 
as  they  floated  faintly  across  the  still  water,  and  melted 
at  last  mto  the  deep  silence  of  the  wilderness. 

The  two  Indians  still  stood,  with  downcast  heads  and 
I'stenmg  ears,  as  if  they  loved  the  last  echo  of  the  dyin^ 
music,  while   their  grave,  statue-like  forms,   added   to 
rather  than  detracted  from,  the  solitude  of  the  deserted 
scene. 


.  I. 


ffiIBi 


128 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


CHAPTER  XI. 

CHARLEY  AND  HARRY  BEGIN  THEIR    SPORTING  CAREER   WITH- 
OUT MUCH  SUCCESS;  WHISKY-JOHN  CATCHING.  * 

rpHE  place  in  the  boats  usually  allotted  to  gentle- 
-■-  men  in  the  Company's  service  while  travelling  is 
the  stern.  Here  the  lading  is  so  arranged  as  to  form  a 
pretty  level  hollow,  where  the  flat  bundles  containing 
their  blankets  are  placed,  and  a  couch  is  thus  formed 
that  rivals  Eastern  effeminacy  in  luxuriance.  There 
are  occasions,  however,  when  this  couch  is  converted 
into  a  bed,  not  of  thorns  exactly,  but  of  corners ;  and, 
really,  it  would  be  hard  to  say  which  of  the  two  is  the 
more  disagreeable.  Should  the  men  be  careless  in  ar- 
ranging the  cargo,  the  inevitable  consequence  is,  that 
'•  monsieur  "  will  find  the  leg  of  an  iron  stove,  the  sharp 
edge  of  a  keg,  or  the  corner  of  a  wooden  box,  occupy- 
ing the  place  where  his  ribs  should  be.  So  common, 
however,  is  this  occurrence  that  the  clerks  usually  su- 
perintend the  arrangements  themselves,  and  so  secure 
comfort. 

On  a  couch,  then,  of  this  kind,  Charley  and  Harry 
now  found  themselves  constrained  to  sit  all  mornins:; 
sometimes  asleep,  occasionally  awake,  and  always  ear- 
nestly desiring  that  it  was  time  to  put  ashore  for  break- 
fast, as  they  had  now  travelled  for  four  hours  without 
halt,  except  twice  for  about  five  minutes,  to  let  the  men 
light  their  pipes. 


iliLL, 


FBOM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


129 


«  Charley,"  said  Harry  Somerville  to  his  friend  who 
sat  beside  him,  « it  strikes  me  that  we  are  to  have  no 
breaK-fost  at  all  to-day.  Here  have  I  been  holding  my 
breath  and  tightening  my  belt,  until  I  feel  much  more 
like  a  spider  or  a  wasp,  than  a  —  a » 

;^Man,  Harry;  out  with  it  at  once,  don't  be  afraid," 
said  Charley.  ' 

"  Well,  no,  I  wasn't  going  to  have  said  that  exactly,  but 
I  was  going  to  have  said,  a  voj/ageur,  only  I  recollected 
our  doings  this  morning,  and  hesitated  to  take  the  name 
until  I  had  won  it," 

"It's  well  that  you  entertain  so  modest  an  opinion  of 
yourself,"  sa,d  Mr.  Park,  who  still  smoked  his  pipe  as  if 
he  were  impressed  with  the  idea  that  to  stop  for  a  moment 
w«u  d  produce  instant  death.     "  I  may  tell  you  for  your 
comfort,  youngsters,  that  we  sha'n't  breakfast  till  we  rLh 
yonder  point."  "'c  leacn 

The  shores  of  Lake  Winnipeg  are  flat  and  low,  and 

e  pent  mdjcated  by  Mr.  Park  lay  directly  in  the 'light 

of  the  sun  which  now  shone  with  such  splendor  in  fhe 

cloudless  sky,  and  flashed  on  the  polished  water    tW 

U  was^with  difficulty  they  eould  1 J  towanls  Z'X 

His  hand;  "I  cannot  make  out  anything  at  all." 

r^  again,  my  boy ;  there's  nothing  like  practice." 
Ah !  yes,  I  make  it  out  now,  a  faint  shadow  just  under 

the  sun.    Is  that  it .'  " 

"Ay,  and  we'll  break  our  fast  there." 
aIm    f\^7™"<"'  '»  "'-eak  your  head  ;!«..," 

-^  a  speech  to  an''elder,ygen;i;:r;:;,rbn;;:;' 


ID  iii 


130 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


improper ;  and  Charley  had  some  respect  for  gray  hairs, 
for  their  own  sake,  whether  the  owner  of  them  was  a 
good  man  or  a  goose. 

«  What  shall  we  do,  Harry  ?  If  I  had  only  thought  of 
keeping  out  a  book." 

«  I  know  what  /shall  do,"  said  Harry,  with  a  resolute 
air  ;  "  I'll  go  and  shoot !  " 

«  Shoot ! "  cried  Charley ;  "  you  don't  mean  to  say  that 
you're  going  to  waste  your  powder  and  shot  by  firing  at 
the  clouds ;  for,  unless  you  take  theniy  I  see  nothing  else 

here." 

"That's  because  you  don't  use  your  eyes,"  retorted 
Harry.  "  Will  you  just  look  at  yonder  rock  ahead  of  us, 
and  tell  me  what  you  see." 

Charley  looked  earnestly  at  the  rock,  which,  to  a  cur- 
sory glance,  seemed  as  if  composed  of  whiter  stone  on 
the  top.  "  Gulls  !  I  declare !  "  shouted  Charley ;  at  the 
same  time  jumping  up  in  haste. 

Just  then  one  of  the  gulls,  probably  a  scout  sent  out  to 
watch  the  approaching  enemy,  wheeled  in  a  circle  over- 
head. The  two  youths  dragged  their  guns  from  beneath 
the  thwarts  of  the  boat,  and  rummaged  about  in  great 
anxiety  for  shot-belts  and  powder-horns.  At  last  they 
were  found,  and,  having  loaded,  they  sat  on  the  edge  of 
the  boat  looking  out  for  game  with  as  much,  -  ay,  with 
more  intense,  interest  than  a  Blackfoot  Indian  would  have 
watched  for  a  fat  buffalo  cow. 

"  There  he  goes,"  said  Harry ;  "  take  the  first  shot, 
Charley." 
"  Where  ?  where  is  it  ?  " 
"  Right  ahead.     Look  out ! " 

As  Harry  spoke,  a  small  white  gull,  with  bright  red 
legs  ana  oeaK,  new  ovur  uiu  uuui,  a\j  civbc  w  h^c-"  "«»<i 


ii 
I 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


131 


as  the  guide  remarked,  "  he  could  see  it  wink  ! "     Char- 
ley's equanimity,  already  pretty  well  disturbed,  was  en- 
tirely upset  at  the  suddenness  of  the  bird's  appearance 
.for  he  had  been  gazing  intently  at  the  rock  when  hij 
friend's  exclamation  drew  his  attention  in  time  to  see  the 
gull  within  about  four  feet  of  his  head.     With  a  sudden 
"  Oh ! "  Charley  threw  forward  his  gun,  took  a  short 
wavermg  aim,  and  blew  the  cocktail  feather  out  of  Bap- 
tiste's  hat,  while  the  gull  sailed  tranquilly  away,  as  much 
as  to  say,  «  If  thaU  all  you  can  do,  there's  no  need  for 
me  to  hurry ! " 

"  Confound  the  boy ! »  cried  Mr.  Park  ;  «  you'll  be  the 
death  of  some  one  yet.     I'm  convinced  of  that." 

"  Parbleu !  you  may  say  that,  c'est  vrai,"  remarked  the 
voyageur,  with  a  rueful  gaze  at  his  hat,  which,  besidog 
having  ,ts  ornamental  feather  shattered,  was  sadly  cut  u» 
about  the  crown.  ^ 

The  poor  lad's  face  became  much  redder  than  the  lees 
or  beak  of  the  gull  as  he  sat  down  in  confusion,  whfch  he 
sought  to  hide  by  busily  reloading  his  gun ;  while  the 
men  mdulged  in  a  somewhat  witty  and  sarcastic  criticism 
of  his  powers  of  shooting,  remarking,  in  flattering  terms, 
on  the  precision  of  the  shot  that  blew  Baptiste's  feather 
into  atoms,  and  declaring  that  if  every  shot  he  fired  was 
as  truly  aimed,  he  would  certainly  be  the  best  in  the 
country.  / 

Baptiste  also  came  in  for  a  share  of  their  repartee. 

It  serves  you  right,"  said  the  gdde,  laughing,  « for 
wearing  such  things  on  the  voyage.  You  should  put 
away  such  foppery  till  you  return  to  the  settlement, 
where  there  are  girls  to  admire  you."  (Baptiste  had  con- 
tinued to  wear  the  tall  hat,  ornamented  wi;a  gold  cords 
—  ««°^^«,  -.viiu  wnicn  iie  iiad  left  Ked  River.) 


132 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


"Ah!"  cried  another,  puUing  vigorously  at  his  oar, 
"  I  fear  that  Marie  won't  look  at  you,  now  that  all  your 
beauty's  gone." 

"  'Tia  not  quite  gone,"  said  a  third ;  "  there's  all  the 
brim  and  half  a  tassel  left,  besides  the  wreck  of  the  re- 
mainder." 

"  Oh  !  I  can  lend  you  a  few  fragments,"  retorted  Bap- 
tiste,  endeavoring  to  parry  some  of  the  thrusts.  "  They 
would  improve  you  vastly." 

"  No,  no,  friend,  gather  them  up  and  replace  them ; 
they  will  look  more  picturesque  and  becoming  now.  I 
beheve  if  you  had  worn  them  much  longer  all  the  men  iu 
the  boat  would  have  fallen  in  love  with  you." 

'^  By  St.  Patrick !"  said  Mike  Brady  —  an  Irishman  who 
sat  at  the  oar  immediately  behind  the  unfortunate  Cana- 
dian—  "there's  more  than  enough  o'  rubbish  scattered 
over  mysilf  nor  would  do  to  stuff  a  fither-bed  with." 

As  Mike  spoke,  he  collected  the  fragments  of  feathers 
and  ribbons  with  which  the  unlucky  shot  had  strewn 
him,  and  placed  them  slyly  on  the  top  of  the  dilapidated 
hat,  which  Baptiste,  after  clearing  away  the  wreck,  had 
replaced  on  his  head. 

"  It's  very  purty,"  said  Mike,  as  the  action  was  received 
by  the  crew  with  a  shout  of  merriment. 

Baptiste  was  waxing  wrathful  under  this  fire,  when  the 
general  attention  was  drawn  again  towards  Charley  and 
his  friend,  who,  having  now  got  close  to  the  rock,  had 
quite  forgotten  their  mishap  in  the  excitement  of  expec- 
tation. 

This  excitement  in  the  shooting  of  such  small  game 
might  perhaps  surprise  our  readers,  did  we  not  acquaint 
them  with  the  fact  that  neither  of  the  boys  had,  up  to 
that  time,  enjoyed  much  opportunity  of  shooting.    It  is 


V- 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


133 


ti-ue  that  Harrj  hac'  once  or  twice  borrowed  the  fowling- 
piece  of  the  senior  clerk,  and  had  sallied  forth  with  a 
beating  heart  to  pursue  the  grouse  which  are  found  in 
the  belt  of  woodland  skirting  the  Assinaboine  River,  near 
to  Fort  Garry.     But  these  expeditions  were  of  rare  oc- 
currence, and  they  had  not  sufficed  to  rub  off  much  of  the 
bounding  excitement  with  which  he  loaded  and  fired  at 
anything  and  everything  that  came  within  ran^e  of  his 
gun.     Charley,  on  the  other  hand,  had  never  firld  a  shot 
before,  except  out  of  an  old  horse-pistol ;  having,  up  to 
thi,?- period,  been  busily  engaged  at  school,  except°during 
the  holidays,  which  he  always  spent  in  the  society  of  his 
sister  Kate,  whose  tastes  were  not  such  as  were  likely  to 
induce  him  to  take  up  the  gun,  even  if  he  had  possessed 
such  a  weapon.    Just  before  leaving  Red  River  his  father 
presented  him  with  his  own  gun,  remarking  as  he  did  so, 
with  a  sigh,  that  his  day  was  past  now  ;  and  adding,  that 
the  gun  was  a  good  one  for  shot  or  ball,  and  if  he  (Char- 
ley) brought  down  half^^  much  game  with  it  as  he  (Mr 
Kennedy)  had  brought  down  in  the  course  of  his  life  he 
might  consider  himself  a  crack  shot,  undoubtedly. 

It  was  not  surprising,  therefore,  that  the  two  friends 
went  nearly  mad  with  excitation  when  the  whole  flock  of 
gulls  rose  into  the  air  like  a  white  cloud,  and  sailed  in 
endless  circles  and  gyrations  above  and  around  their 
heads; -flying  so  close  at  times  that  they  might  almost 
have  been  caught  by  the  hand.  Neither  was  it  surpris- 
ing that  innumerable  shots  were  fired,  by  both  sportsmen, 
without  a  single  bird  being  a  whit  the  worse  for  it,  nor 
themselves  much  the  better ;  the  energetic  efforts  made 
to  hit  being  rendered  abortive  by  the  very  eagerness 
which  caused  them  to  miss.  And  this  was  the  less  extra- 
-uiudi^,  ,„„^  „.,,^,^  ,j^  ^y  i-ememDerea  that  Harry  in  his 


134 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


n,' 


Ulh..\ 


haste  loaded  several  times  without  shot,  and  Charley  ren- 
dered the  right  barrel  of  his  gun  hors  de  combat  at  last, 
by  ramming  down  a  charge  of  shot  and  omitting  powder 
altogether,  whereby  he  snapped  and  primed,  and  snapped 
and  primed  again,  till  he  grew  desperate,  and  then  sus- 
picious of  the  true  cause,  which  he  finally  rectified  with 
much  difficulty. 

Frequently  the  gulls  flew  straight  over  tb^  ''^.ade  of 
the  youths,  which  produced  peculiar  consequ^*  —as, 
in  such  cases,  they  took  aim  while  the  birds  v/ere  ap- 
proaching, but  being  somewhat  slow  at  taking  aim,  the 
gulls  were  almost  perpendicularly  above  them  ere  they 
were  ready  to  shoot,  so  that  they  were  obliged  to-  fire 
hastily  in  hope,  feeling  that  they  were  losing  their  bal- 
ance, or  give  up  the  chance  altogther. 

Mr.  Park  sat  grimly  in  his  place  all  the  while,  enjoy- 
ing the  scene,  and  smoking. 

"  Now  then,  Charley,"  said  he,  « take  that  fellow." 

«  Which  ?  Where  ?  Oh  !  if  I  could  only  get  owe," 
said  Charley,  looking  up  eagerly  at  the  screaming  birds, 
at  which  he  had  been  staring  so  long,  in  their  varying 
and  crossing  flight,  that  his  sight  had  become  hopelessly 
unsteady. 

"  There  !     Look  sharp  ;  fire  away  ! " 

Bang  went  Charley's  piece,  as  he  spoke,  at  a  gull 
which  flew  straight  towards  him,  but  so  rapidly  that  it 
was  directly  above  his  head  ;  indeed,  he  was  leaning  a 
little  backwards  at  the  moment,  which  caused  him  to 
miss  again,  while  the  recoil  of  the  gun  brought  matters 
to  a  climax,  by  toppling  him  over  into  Mr.  Park's  lap, 
thereby  smashing  that  gentleman's  pipe  to  atoms.  The 
fall  accidentally  exploded  the  second  barrel,  causing  the 
butt  to  strike  Charley  in  the  pit  of  his  stomach,  —  as  if 


FROM  THE  FAB  NORTH. 


135 


to  ram  him  well  home  into  Mr.  Park's  open  arms,  — and 
hitting,  with  a  stray  shotj  a  gull  that  was  sailing  high  up 
in  the  sky  in  fancied  security.  It  fell  with  a  fluttering 
crash  into  the  boat,  while  the  men  were  laughing  at  the 
accident. 

"  Didn't  I  say  so  ?  "  cried  Mr.  Park,  wrathfuUy,  as  he 
pitched  Charley  out  of  his  lap,  and  spat  out  the  remnants 
of  his  broken  pipe. 

Fortunately  for  all  parties,  at  this  moment,  the  boat 
approached  a  spot  on  which  the  guide  had  resolved  to 
land  for  breakfast;  and,  seeing  the  unpleasant  predioa- 
ment  mto  which  poor  Charley  had  fallen,  he  assumed  the 
strong  tones  of  command  with  which  guides  are  fre- 
quently gifted,  and  called  out,  — 

"  Ho !  ho  !  a  terre !  d  terre  !  to  land !  to  land  !  Break- 
fast, my  boys ;  breakfast ! "  at  the  same  time  sweeping 
the  boat's  head  shoreward,  and  running  into  a  rocky  bay, 
whose  margin  was  fringed  by  a  growth  of  small  trees. 
Here,  m  a  few  minutes,  they  were  joined  by  the  other 
boats  of  the  brigade,  which  had  kept  within  sight  of  each 
other  nearly  the  whole  morning. 

While  travelling  through  the  wilds  of  North  America 
m  boats,  voyageurs  always  make  a  point  of  landing  to 
breakfast.     Dinner  is  a  meal  with  which  they  are  unac- 
quamted,  at  least  on  the  voyage,  and  luncheon  is  like- 
wise unknown.     If  a  man  feels  hungry  during  the  day, 
the  pemmican  bag  and  its  contents  are  there ;  he  may 
pause  in  his  work  at  any  time,  for  a  minute,  to  seize  the 
axe  and  cut  off  a  lump,  which  he  may  devour  as  he  best 
can ;  but  there  is  no  going  ashore  —  no  resting  for  dinner. 
Two  great  meals  are  recognized,  and  the  time  allotted 
to  their  preparation  and  consumption  held  inviolable,  — 

breakfast  qnd  an»^rv^».. ai.~  /»_-< 

io^.  Aixw  u„^.|j^x ,  —  LUC  iirac  varying  between  the 


136 


SNOWFLAKES  AND   SUNBEAMS 


*      m 


hours  of  seven  and  nine  in  the  morning;  the  second 
about  sunset,  at  which  time  travellers  usually  encamp 
for  the  night.  Of  the  two  meals,  it  would  be  difficult 
to  say  which  is  more  agreeable.  For  our  own  part,  we 
prefer  the  former.  It  is  the  meal  to  which  a  man  ad- 
dresses himself  with  peculiar  gusto,  especially  if  he  has 
been  astir  three  or  four  hours  previously  in  the  open 
air.  It  is  the  time  of  day,  too,  when  the  spirits  are 
freshest  and  highest,  animated  by  the  prospect  of  the 
work,  the  difficulties,  the  pleasures,  or  the  adventures  of 
the  day  that  has  begun ;  and  cheered  by  that  cool,  clear 
buoyancy  of  Nature,  which  belongs  exclusively  to  the 
happy  morning  hours,  and  has  led  poets  in  all  ages  to 
compare  these  hours  to  the  first  sweet  months  of  spring, 
or  the  edrly  years  of  childhood. 

Voyageurs,  not  less  than  poets,  have  felt  the  exhilarat- 
ing influence  of  the  young  day,  although  they  have  lacked 
the  power  to  tell  it  in  sounding  numbers ;  but,  where 
words  were  wanting,  the  sparkling  tye,  the  beaming 
countenance,  the  light  step,  and  hearty  laugh,  were  more 
powerful  exponents  of  the  feelings  within.  Poet,  and 
painter  too,  might  have  spent  a  profitable  hour  on  the 
shores  of  that  great  sequestered  lake;  and,  as  they 
watched  the  picturesque  groups,  —  clustering  round  the 
blazing  fires,  preparing  their  morning  meal,  smoking 
their  pipes,  examining  and  repairing  the  boats,  or  sun- 
ning their  stalwart  limbs  in  wild,  careless  attitudes  upon 
the  grefen  sward,  —  might  have  found  a  subject  worthy 
the  most  brilliant  effusions  of  the  pen,  or  the  most  graphic 
touches  of  the  pencil. 

An  hour  sufficed  for  breakfast.  While  it  was  prepar- 
ing, the  two  friends  sauntered  into  the  forest  in  search  of 

gama      in    ■wViinb      fbf'v    tvpvp    nncnno<aocfnl  •     in    fanf    with 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


137 


the  exception  of  the  gul?  ■  before  mentioned,  there  was  not 
a  feather  to  be  seen,— save,  always,  one  or  two  whisky- 
jolins. 

Whisky-johns  are  the  most  impudent,  puffy,  conceited 
little  birds  that  exist.     Not  much  larger  in  reality  than 
sparrows,  they  nevertheless   manage  to  swell  out  their 
feathers  to  sucli  an  extent  that  they  appear  to  be  as  large 
as  magpies,  which  they  farther  resemble  in  their  plumage. 
Go  where  you  will  in  the  woods  of  Rupert's  Land,  the 
instant  that  you  light  a  fire,  two  or  three  whisky-johns 
come  down  and  sit  beside  you,  on  a  branch,  it  may  be,  or 
on  the  ground,  and  generally  so  near  that  you  cannot  but 
wonder  at  their  recklessness.     There  is  a  species  of  im- 
pudence which  seems  to  be  specially  attached  to  little 
birds.    In  them  it  reaches  the  highest  pitch  of  perfec- 
tion.    A  bold,  swelling,  arrogant  effrontery;   a  sort  of 
stark,  staring,  self-complacent,  comfortable,  and  yet  inno- 
cent impertinence,  which  is  at  once  irritating  and  amus- 
ing, aggravating  and  attractive,  and  which  is  exhibited  in 
the  greatest  intensity  in  the  whisky-john.     He  will  jump 
down  almost  under  your  nose,  and  seize  a  fragment  of 
biscuit  or  pemmican.     He  will  go  right  into  the  pemmi- 
can  bag,  when  you  are  but  a  few  paces  off,  and  pilfer, 
as  it  were,  at  the  fountain-head.     Or,  if  these  resources 
are  closed  against  him,  he  will  sit  on  a  twig,  within  an 
inch  of  your  head,  and  look  at  you  as  only  a  whisky-joha 
can  look. 

"  I'll  catch  one  of  these  rascals,"  said  Harry,  as  he  saw 
them  jump  unceremoniously  into  and  out  of  the  pemmi- 
can bag. 

Going  down  to  the  boat,  Harry  hid  himself  under  the 

tarpaulin,  leaving  a  hole  open  near  to  the  mouth  of  the 

ag.    ..e  had  not  reinained  more  than  a  few  minutes 


138 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


I  I  :,l!ll 


in  this  concealment,  when  one  of  the  birds  flew  down,  and 
alighted  on  the  edge  of  the  boat.  After  a  glance  round 
to  see  that  all  was  right,  it  jumped  into  the  bag.  A  mo- 
ment ''.ficr,  Harry,  darting  his  hand  through  the  aperture, 
grasped  him  round  the  neck,  and  secured  him.  Poor 
whisky-john  screamed  and  pecked  ferociously,  while 
Harry  brought  him  in  triumph  to  his  friend ;  but  so  un- 
remittingly did  the  bird  scream,  that  its  captor  was  fain 
at  last  to  let  him  off,  the  more  especially  as  the  cook  came 
up  at  the  moment  and  announced  that  breakfast  was 
ready. 


■•  \ 


FBOM  THE  FAR  NOBTH. 


189 


CHAPTER  XII. 


THE   STORM. 


rpWO  days  after  the  events  of  the  last  chapter,  the 
X  brigade  was  making  one  of  the  traverses  which 
have  already  been  noticed  as  of  frequent  occurrence  in 
the  great  lakes.  The  morning  was  calm  and  sultry.  A 
deep  stillness  pervaded  nature,  which  tended  to  produce 
a  corresponding  quiescence  in  the  mind,  and  to  fill  it 
with  those  indescribably  solemn  feelings  that  frequently 
arise  before  a  thunderstorm.  Dark,  lurid  clouds  hung 
overhead  in  gigantic  masses,  piled  above  each  other 
like  the  battlements  of  a  dark  fortress,. from  whose  rag- 
ged embrasures  the  artillery  of  heaven  was  about  to 
play. 

*•  Shall  we  get  over  in  time,  Louis  ? "  asked  Mr. 
Park,  as  he  turned  to  the  guide,  who  sat  holding  the 
tiller  with  a  firm  grasp ;  while  the  men,  aware  of  the 
necessity  of  reaching  shelter  ere  the  storm  burst  upon 
them,  were  bending  to  the  oars  with  steady  and  sustained 
energy. 

"  Perhaps,"  replied  Louis,  laconically.  «  Pull,  lads, 
pull !  else  you'll  have  to  sleep  in  wet  skins  to-night." 

A  low  growl  of  distant  thunder  followed  the  guide*s 
words,  and  the  men  pulled  with  additional  energy ;  while 
the  slow,  measured  hiss  of  the  water,  and  clank  of  oars, 
as  they  cut  swiftly  through  the  lake's  clear  surface,  alone 
interrupted  the  dead  silence  that  ensued. 


140 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


Charley  and  his  friend  conversed  in  low  whispers ;  for 
there  is  a  strange  j)Ower  in  a  thunderstorm,  whether 
raging  or  about  to  break,  that  overawes  the  heart  of 
man  —  as  if  Nature's  God  were  nearer  then  than  at 
other  times;  as  if  He — whose  voice,  indeed,  if  listened 
to,  speaks  even  in  the  slightest  evolution  of  natural  phe- 
nomena —  were  about  to  tread  the  visible  earth  with 
more  than  usual  majesty,  in  the  vivid  glare  of  the  light- 
ning flash,  and  in  the  awful  crash  of  thunder. 

"  I  don't  know  how  it  is,  but  I  feel  more  like  a  cow- 
ard," said  Charley,  "just  before  a  thunderstorm,  tlian  I 
think  I  should  do  in  the  arms  of  a  polar  bear.  Do  you 
feel  queer,  Harry  ?  " 

"  A  little,"  replied  Harry,  in  a  low  whisper  ;  "  and  yet 
I'm  not  frightened.  I  can  scarcely  tell  what  I  feel ;  but 
I'm  certain  it's  not  fear." 

"  Well,  I  don't  know,"  said  Charley.  "  When  father's 
black  bull  chased  Kate  and  me  in  the  prairies,  and  almost 
overtook  us,  as  we  ran  for  the  fence  of  the  big  field,  I 
felt  my  heart  leap  to  my  mouth,  and  the  blood  rush 
to  my  cheeks,  as  I  turned  about  and  faced  him,  while 
Kate  climbed  the  fence ;  but  after  she  was  over,  I  felt 
a  wild  sort  of  wickedness  in  me,  as  if  I  should  like  to 
tantalize  and  torment  him ;  and  I  felt  altogether  dif- 
ferent from  what  I  feel  now  while  I  look  up  at  these 
black  clouds.  Isn't  there  something  quite  awful  in  them, 
Harry  ?  " 

Ere  Harry  replied,  a  bright  flash  of  lightning  shot 
athwart  the  sky,  followed  by  a  loud  roll  of  thunder,  and 
in  a  moment  the  wind  rushed  —  like  a  fiend  set  suddenly 
free  —  down  upon  the  boats,  tearing  up  the  smooth  sur- 
face of  the  water  as  it  flew,  and  cutting  it  into  gleaming 
whitP!  sfrpaks.     Fnrtimatftlv  the  storm  came  down  behind 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


141 


the  boats,  so  that,  after  the  first  wild  burst  was  over,  they 
hoisted  a  small  portion  of  their  lug  sails,  and  scudded 
rapidly  before  it. 

There  was  still  a  considerable  portion  of  the  traverse 
to  cross,  and  the  guide  cast  an  anxious  glance  over  his 
shoulder  occasionally,  as  the  dark  waves  begjin  to  rise, 
and  their  crests  were  cut  into  white  foam  by  the  increas- 
ing gale.     Thunder  roared  in  continued,  successive  peals, 
as  if   the  heavens  were  breaking  up ;    while  rain   de- 
scended in  sheets.    For  a  time  the  crews  continued  to  ply 
their  oars;  ,     ,  as  the  wind  increased,  these  were  ren- 
dered superfluous.      They  were  taken  in,  therefore,  and 
the  men  sought  partial  shelter  under  the  tarpaulin  ;  while 
Mr.  Park  and  the  two  boys  were  covered,  excepting  their 
heads,  by  an  oil-cloth,  which  was  always  kept  at  hand  in 
rainy  weather. 

"What  think  you  now,  Louis?"  said  Mr.  Park,  resum- 
ing the  pipe  which  the  sudden  outburst  of  the  storm  had 
caused  him  to  forget.  "  Have  we  seen  the  worst  of  it  ?  " 
Louis  replied  abruptly  in  the  negative  ;  and,  in  a  few 
seconds,  shouted  loudly,  "  Look  out,  lads  ;  here  comes 
a  squall.     Stand  by  to  let  go  the  sheet  there  !  " 

Mike  Brady,  happening  to  be  near  the  sheet,  seized 
hold  of  the  rope,  and  prepared  to  let  go ;  while  the  men 
rose,  as  if  by  instinct,  and  gazed  anxiously  at  the  ap- 
proaching squall,  which  could  be  seen  in  the  distance, 
extending  along  the  horizon,  like  a  bar  of  blackest  ink,' 
spotted  with  flakes  of  white.  The  guide  sat  with  com- 
pressed lips  and  motionless  as  a  statue,  guiding  the  boat 
as  it  bounded  madly  towards  the  land,  which  was  now  not 
more  than  half  a  mile  distant. 

"Let  go!"  shouted  the  guide,  in  a  voice  that  was 
heard  loud  and  clear  abovp  fhp  mor  r^f  thr.  ^i *, 


142 


SNOWTLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


"  Ay,  ay,"  replied  the  Irishman,  untwisting  the  rope 
instantly,  as,  with  a  sharp  hiss,  the  squall  descended  on 
the  boat. 

At  that  moment  the  rope  became  entangled  round  one 
of  the  oars,  and  the  gale  burst  with  all  its  fury  on  the 
distended  sail,  burying  the  prow  in  the  waves,  which 
rushed  in-board  in  a  black  volume,  and  in  an  instant 
half  filled  the  boat. 

"  Let  go ! "  roared  the'  guide  again,  in  a  voice  of 
thunder ;  while  Mike  struggled  with  awkward  energy  to 
disentangle  the  rope. 

As  he  spoke,  an  Indian,  who  during  the  storm  had 
been  sitting  beside  the  mast,  gazing  at  the  boiling  water 
with  a  grave  contemplative  aspect,  sprang  quickly  for- 
ward, drew  his  knife,  and,  with  two  blows  (so  rapidly 
delivered  that  they  seemed  but  one)  cut  asunder,  first 
the  sheet  and  then  the  halyards,  which  let  the  sail  blow 
out  and  fall  flat  upon  the  boat.  He  was  just  in  time. 
Another  moment  and  the  gushing  water,  which  curled 
over  the  bow,  would  have  filled  them  to  the  gunwale.  As 
it  was,  the  little  vessel  was  so  full  of  water  that  she  lay 
like  a  log,  while  every  toss  of  the  waves  sent  an  addi- 
tional torrent  into  her. 

"  Bail  for  your  lives,  lads,"  cried  Mr.  Park,  as  he 
sprang  forward,  and,  seizing  a  tin  dish,  began  energet- 
ically to  bail  out  the  water.  Following  his  example,  the 
whole  crew  seized  whatever  came  first  to  hand  in  the 
shape  of  dish  or  kettle,  and  began  to  bail.  Charley  and 
Harry  Somerville  acted  a  vigorous  part  on  this  occasion ; 
the  one  with  a  bark  dish,  (which  had  been  originally 
made  by  the  natives  for  the  purpose  of  holding  maple 
sugar,)  the  other  with  his  cap. 

For  a  time,  it  seemed  doubtful  whether  the  curling 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


143 


waves  should  send  most  water  into  the  boat,  or  the  crew 
should  bail  most  out  of  it.  But  the  latter  soon  prevailed ; 
and  in  a  few  minutes,  it  was  so  far  got  under,  that  three 
of  the  men  were  enabled  to  leave  off  bailing  and  reset 
the  sail,  while  Louis  Peltier  returned  to  his  post  at  the 
helm.  At  first  the  boat  moved  but  slowly,  owing  to  the 
weight  of  water  in  her ;  but,  as  this  grew  gradually  less 
she  mereased  her  speed  and  neared  the  land.  ' 

«  Well  done,  Redfeather,"  said  Mr.  Park,  addressing 
the  Indian  as  he  resumed  his  seat;  "your  knife  did  us 
good  service  that  time,  my  fine  fellow." 

Redfeather,  who  was  the  only  pure  native  in  the  bri-r, 
ade,  acknowledged  the  compliment  with  a  smile.  *^ 

''Ah!  oui"  said  the  guide,  whose  features  had  now 
lost  their  stern  expression.  "Them  Injins  are  always 
ready  enough  with  their  knives.  It's  not  the  first  time 
my  hfe  has  been  saved  by  the  knife  of  a  redskin  " 

''  Humph  !  bad  luck  to  them,"  muttered  Mike  Brady  • 
"Its  not  the  first  time  that  my  windpipe  has  been  pretty 
near  spiflicated  by  the  knives  o'  the  redskins,  the  mur- 
therm'  varmints ! " 

As  Mike  gave  vent  to  this  malediction,  the  boat  ran 
swiftly  past  a  low,  rocky  point,  over  which  the  surf  was 
breaking  wildly.  ^^ 

"Down  with  the  sail,  Mike,"  cried  the  guide,  at  the 
same  time  putting  the  helm  hard  up.  The  boat  flew 
round  obedient  to  the  ruling  power,  made  one  last  plunge 
as  It  left  the  rolling  surf  behind,  and  slid  gently  and 
smoothly  into  still  water  under  the  lee  of  the  point.         • 

Here,  m  the  snug  shelter  of  a  little  bay,  two  of  the 
other  boats  were  found,  with  their  prows  already  on  the 

beach,  and  thfiir  nr^uro  o^fi^^i i-_    ,  .    ,     .. 

„    J      •     .  '  "^"'^-V  ^^"i"yyeam  landing  their 

goods,  opening  bales  that  had  received  damage  from  the 


■fifcn 


iih       if 


llllil 


till  II!! 


144 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


water,  and  preparing  the  encampment ;  while  ever  and 
anon  they  paused  a  moment  to  watch  the  various  boats 
as  they  flew  before  the  gale,  and  one  by  one  doubled  the 
friendly  promontory. 

If  there  is  one  thing  that  provokes  a  voyageur  more 
tbgu  another,  it  is  being  windbound  on  the  shores  of  a 
large  lake.  Rain  or  sleet,  heat  or  cold,  icicles  forming 
on  the  oars,  or  a  broiling  sun  glaring  in  a  cloudless  sky, 
the  stings  of  sand-flies,  or  the  sharp  probes  of  a  million 
mosquitos,  he  will  bear  with  comparative  indifference ; 
but  being  detained  by  high  wind  for  two,  three,  or  four 
days  together, —  lying  inactively  on  shore,  when  every- 
thing else,  it  may  be,  is  favorable,  —  the  sun  bright,  the 
sky  blue,  the  air  invigorating,  and  all  but  the  wind  pro- 
pitious,-— is  more  than  his  philosophy  can  carry  him 
through  with  equanimity.  He  grumbles  at  it ;  some- 
times makes  believe  to  laugh  at  it ;  very  often,  we  are 
sorry  to  say,  swears  at  it ;  does  his  best  to  sleep  through 
it ;  but,  whatever  he  does,  he  does  with  a  bad  grace,  be- 
cause he's  in  a  bad  humor  and  can't  stand  it. 

For  the  next  three  days  this  was  the  fate  of  our  friends. 
Part  of  the  time  it  rained,  when  the  whole  party  slept  as 
much  as  was  possible,  and  then  endeavored  to  sleep  more 
than  was  possible,  under  the  shelter  afforded  by  the 
spreading  branches  of  the  trees.  Part  of  the  time  was 
fair,  with  occasional  gleams  of  sunshine,  when  the  men 
turned  out  to  eat,  and  smoke,  and  gamble  round  the  fires ; 
and  the  two  friends  sauntered  down  to  a  sheltered  place 
on  the  shore,  sunned  themselves  in  a  warm  nook  among 
the  rocks,  while  they  gazed  ruefully  at  the  foaming  bil- 
lows, told  endless  stories  of  what  they  had  done  in  time 
past,  and  equally  endless  prospective  adventures  that  they 
earnestly  hoped  should  befall  them  in  time  to  come. 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


145 


While  they  were  thus  engaged,  Redfeather,  the  Indian 
who  had  cut  the  ropes  so  opportunely  during  the  gtorm 
walked  down  to  the  shore,  and  sitting  down  on  a  rock 
not  far  distant,  fell  apparently  into  a  reverie. 

"I  like  that  fellow,"  said  Harry,  pointing  to  the  In- 
dian. 

"  So  do  I.  He's  a  sharp,  active  man.  Had  it  not 
been  for  him  we  should  have  had  to  swim  for  it." 

"Indeed,  had  it  not  been  for  him,  I  should  have  had 
to  sink  for  it,"  said  Harry,  with  a  smile,  « for  I  can't 
swim." 

"  Ah,  true,  I  forgot  that.  I  wonder  what  the  redskin, 
as  the  guide  calls  him,  is  thinking  about,"  added  Charley* 
in  a  musing  tone. 

«0f  home,  perhaps,  *  sweet  home,'"  said  Harry,  with 
a  sigh.  «Do  you  think  much  of  home,  Charley,  now 
that  you  have  left  it  ?  " 

Charley  did  not  reply  for  a  few  seconds.    He  seemed 
to  muse  over  the  question. 
At  last  he  said,  slowly  — 

«  Think  of  home  ?  I  think  of  little  else  when  I  am  not 
talking  with  you,. Harry.  My  dear  mother  is  always  in 
my  thoughts,  and  my  poor  old  father.  Home,  ay,  and 
darling  Kate,  too,  is  at  my  elbow  night  and  day,  with  the 
tears  streaming  from  her  eyes,  and  her  ringlets  scattered 
over  my  shoulder,  as  I  saw  her  the  day  we  parted,  beck- 
oning me  back  again,  or  reproaching  me  for  having  gone 
away-  God  bless  her !  Yes,  I  often,  very  often,  think 
or  home,  Harry." 

Harry  made  no  reply.  His  friend's  words  had  directed 
his  thoughts  to  a  very  different  and  far  distant  scene  —  to 
another  Kate,  and  another  father  and  mother,  who  lived 
m  a  glen  far  away  over  the  waters  of  the  broad  Atlantic. 

10 


*f 


146 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


He  thought  of  them  as  they  used  to  be  when  he  wa-^  one 
of  the  number,  a  unit  in  the  beloved  circle,  whose  ab.^nce 
would  have  caused  a  blank  there.  He  thought  of  the 
kind  voice  that  used  to  read  the  "Word  of  God,  and  the 
tender  kiss  of  his  mother  as  they  parted  for  the  night. 
He  thought  of  the  dreary  day  when  he  left  them  all 
behind,  and  sailed  away,  in  the  midst  of  strangers,  across 
the  wide  ocean  to  a  strange  land.  He  thought  of  them 
now — without  him  —  accustomed  to  his  absence,  and  for- 
getful, perhaps,  at  times,  that  he  had  once  been  there. 
As  he  thought  of  all  this,  a  tear  rolled  down  his  cheek, 
and  when  Charley  looked  up  in  his  face,  that  tear-drop 
told  plainly  that  he  too  thought  sometimes  of  home. 

"  Let  us  ask  Redfeatlier  to  tell  us  something  about  the 
Indians,"  he  said,  at  length,  rousing  himself.  **  I  have  no 
doubt  he  has  had  many  adventures  in  his  life ;  shall  we, 
Charley?" 

"  By  all  means.  Ho,  Redfeather !  are  you  trying  to 
stop  the  wind  by  looking  it  out  of  countenance  ?  " 

The  Indian  rose  and  walked  towards  the  spot  where 
the  boys  lay. 

"  What  was  Redfeather  thinking  about,"  said  Charley, 
adopting  the  somewhat  pompous  style  of  speech  occasion- 
ally used  by  Indians.  "  Was  he  thinking  of  the  white 
swan  and  his  little  ones  in  the  prairie ;  or  did  he  dream 
of  giving  his  enemies  a  good  licking  the  next  time  he 
meets  them  ?  " 

"Redfeather  has  no  enemies,"  replied  the  Indian. 
"  He  was  thinking  of  the  great  Manito,*  who  made  the 
wild  winds,  and  the  great  lakes,  and  the  forest." 

"  And,  pray,  good  Redfeather,  what  did  your  thoughts 
tell  you  ?  " 

*  God. 


FKOM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


147 


«  They  told  me  that  men  are  very  weak,  and  very 
foolish,  and  wicked ;  and  that  Manito  is  very  good  and 
patient  to  let  them  live." 

"  That  is  to  say,"  cried  Harry,  who  was  surprised  and 
a  Uttle  nettled  to  hear  what  he  called  the  heads  of  a  ser- 
mon from  a  redskin,  "that  you,  being  a  man,  are  yery 
weak,  and  very  foolish,  and  wicked,  and  that  Manito  is 
very  good  and  patient  to  let  you  live  ?  " 

"Good,"  said  the  Indian,  calmly;  "that  is  what  I 
mean." 

« Come,  Redfeather,"  said  Chariey,  laying  his  hand 
on  the  Indian's  arm,  "sit  down  beside  us,  and  tell  us 
some  of  your  adventures.  I  know  that  you  must  have 
had  plenty,  and  it's  quite  clear  that  we're  not  to  get 
away  from  this  place  all  day,  so  you've  nothing  better 
to  do." 

The  Indian  readily  assented,  and  began  his  story  in 
English. 

Redfeather  was  one  of  the  very  few  Indians  who  had 
acquired  the  power  of  speaking  the  English  langua-e. 
Havmg  been,  while  a  youth,  brought  much  into  contact 
with  the  fur  traders ;  and,  having  been  induced  by  them 
to  enter  their  service  for  a  time,  he  had  picked  up  Enough 
of  English  to  make  himself  easily  understood.     Being 
engaged  at  a  later  period  of  life  as  guide  to  one  of  the 
exploring  parties  sent  out  by  the  British  Government  to 
discover  the  famous  Northwest  Passage,  he  had  learned 
to  read  and  write,  and  had  become  so  much  accustomed 
to  the  habits  and  occupations  of  the  «  pale-faces,"  that  he 
spent  more  of  his    time,  in    one  way  or  another,  with 
them  than  in  the  society  of  his  tribe,  which  dwelt  in  the 
thick  woods  bordering  on  one  of  the  great  prairies  of  the 
mterior.    He  was  about  thirty  years  of  ag^ ;  had  a  tall, 


'^''^'  iln^^^^^^W^SE^Rw^-' 


148 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


thin,  but  wiry  and  powerful  frame,  and  was  of  a  mild, 
retiring  disposition.  His  face  wore  a  habitually  grave 
expression,  verging  towards  melancholy ;  induced,  prob- 
ably, by  the  vicissitudes  of  a  wild  life,  (in  which  he  had 
seen  much  of  the  rugged  side  of  nature  in  men  and 
things),  acting  upon  a  sensitive  heart  and  a  naturally 
warm  temperament.  Redfeather,  however,  was  by  no 
means  morose ;  and  when  seated  along  with  his  Canadian 
comrades  round  the  camp  fire,  he  listened  with  evidently 
genuine  interest  to  their  stories,  and  entered  into  the 
spirit  of  their  jests.  But  he  was  always  an  auditor,  and 
rarely  took  part  in  their  conversations.  He  was  fre- 
quently consulted  by  the  guide  in  matters  of  difficulty, 
and  it  was  observed  that  the  "  redskin's  "  opinion  always 
carried  much  weight  with  it,  although  it  was  seldom 
given  unless  asked  for.  The  men  respected  him  much 
becau  3  he  was  a  hard  worker,  obliging,  and  modest, — 
three  qualities  that  insure  respect,  whether  found  under  a 
red  skin  or  a  white  one. 

"  I  shall  tqll  you,"  he  began,  in  a  soft  musing  tone, 
as  if  he  were  wandering  in  memories  of  the  past ;  "  I 
shall  tell  you  how  it  was  that  I  came  by  the  name  of  Red- 
feather." 

"  Ah ! "  interrupted  Charley,  "  I  intended  to  ask  you 
about  that ;  you  don't  wear  one." 

"  I  did  once.  My  father  was  a  great  warrior  in  his 
tribe,"  continued  the  Indian ;  "  and  I  was  but  a  youth 
when  I  got  the  name. 

"  My  tribe  was  at  war  at  the  time  with  the  Chipe- 
wyans,  and  one  of  our  scouts  having  come  in  with  the 
intelligence  that  a  party  of  our  enemies  was  in  the  neigh- 
borhood, our  warriors  armed  themselves  to  go  in  pursuit 
of  them.    I  had  been  out  once  before  with  a  war-party, 


FKOM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


149 


but  had  not  been  successful,  as  the  enem/s  scouts  gave 
notice  of  our  approach  in  time  to  enable  them  to  escape. 
At  the  time  the  information  was  brought  to  us,  the  young 
men  of  our  village  were  amusing  themselves  with  athletic 
games,  and  loud  challenges  were  being  given  and  ac- 
cepted to  wrestle,  or  race,  or  swim  in  the  deep  water 
of  the  river,  which  flowed  calmly  past  the  green  bank  on 
which  our  wigwams  stood.     On  a  bank  near  to  us  sat 
about  a  dozen  of  our  women,  — some  employed  in  orna- 
menting moccasons  with  colored  porcupine-quills  ;  others 
making  rogans  of  bark  for  maple  sugar,  or  nursing  their 
young   infants;   while   a  few,  chiefly  the   old  women, 
grouped  themselves  together  and  kept  up  an  incessant 
chattenng,  chiefly  with  reference  to  the  doings  of  the 
young  men. 

« Apart  from  these  stood  three  or  four  of  the  prin- 
cipal men  of  our  tribe,  smoking  their  pipes,  and  al- 
though apparently  engrossed  in  conversation,  stiU  evi- 
dently interested  in  what  was  going  forward  on  the  bank 
of  the  river. 

"Among  the  young  men  assembled,  there  was  one  of 
about  my  own  age,  who  had  taken  a  violent  dislike  to 
me,  because  the  most  beautiful  giri  in  all  the  village  pre- 
ferred me  before  him.  His  name  was  Misconna.  He 
was  a  hot-tempered,  cruel  youth ;  and  although  I  en- 
deavored as  much  as  possible  to  keep  out  of  his  way,  he 
sought  every  opportunity  of  picking  a  quarrel  with  me. 
I  had  just  been  running  a  race  along  with  several  other 
youths,  and,  although  not  the  winner,  I  had  kept  ahead 
of  Misconna  all  the  distance.  He  now  stood  leaning 
agamst  a  tree,  burning  with  rage  and  disappointment.  I 
^  .J,  ,,„3j  uccuusu  i  uore  mm  no  lii-wiii,  and,  if 
It  had  occurred  to  me  at  the  time,  I  would   have  al- 


ftirmirTTn   .  a 


160 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


lowed  him  to  pass  me,  since  I  was  unable  to  gain  the 
race  at  any  rate. 

"  *  Dog !  *  he  said,  at  length,  stepping  forward  and  con- 
fronting me,  '  will  you  wrestle  ? ' 

"  Just  as  he  approached,  I  had  turned  round  to  leave 
the  place.  Not  wishing  to  have  more  to  do  with  him,  I 
pretended  not  to  hear,  and  made  a  step  or  two  towards 
the  lodges.  '  Dog  ! '  he  cried  again,  while  his  eyes  flashed 
fiercely,  and  he  grasped  me  by  the  arm, '  will  you  wrestle, 
or  are  you  afraid  ?  Has  the  brave  boy's  heart  changed 
into  that  of  a  girl  ? ' 

" '  No,  Misconna,'  said  I.  *  You  know  that  I  am  not 
afraid ;  but  I  have  no  desire  to  quarrel  with  you.' 

" '  You  lie  ! '  cried  he,  with  a  cold  sneer ;  *  you  are  afraid 
—  and  see,'  he  added,  pointing  towards  the  women  with 
a  triumphant  smile,  *  the  dark-eyed  girl  sees  it  and  be- 
lieves it,  too ! ' 

"  I  turned  to  look,  and  there  I  saw  Wabisca  gazing  on 
me  with  a  look  of  blank  amazement.  I  could  see,  also, 
that  several  bf  the  other  women,  and  some  of  my  com- 
panions, shared  in  her  surprise. 

"  With  a  burst  of  anger  I  turned  round.  *  No,  Mis- 
conna,' said  I, '  I  am  not  afraid  as  you  shall  find ; '  and, 
springing  upon  him,  I  grasped  him  round  the  body.  He 
was  nearly,  if  not  quite,  as  strong  a  youth  as  myself;  but 
I  was  burning  with  indignation  at  the  insolence  of  his 
conduct  before  so  many  of  the  women,  which  gave  me 
more  than  usual  energy.  For  several  minutes  we  swayed 
to  and  fro,  each  endeavoring  in  vain  to  bend  the  other's 
back :  but  we  were  too  well  matched  for  this,  and  sought 
to  accomplish  our  purpose  by  taking  advantage  of  an 
unguarded  movement.  At  last  such  a  movement  oc- 
curred.   My  adversary  made  a  sudden  and  violent  at- 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


151 


tempt  to  throw  me  to  the  left,  hoping  that  an  inequality 
in  the  ground  would  favor  his  effort.     But  he  was  mis- 
taken.   I  had  seen  the  danger,  and  was  prepared  for  it, 
80  that  the  instant  he  attempted  it,  I  threw  forward  my 
right  leg,  and  thrust  him  backwards  with  all  my  might. 
Miseonna  was  quick  in  his  motions.     He  saw  my  inten- 
tion,—too  late,  indeed,  to  prevent  it  altogether,  but  in 
time  to  throw  back  his  left  foot  and  stiffen  his  body  till  it 
felt  like  a  block  of  stone.     The  effort  was  now  entirely 
one  of  endurance.     We  stood,  each  with  his  muscles 
strained  to  the  utmost,  without  the  slightest  motion.     At 
length  I  felt  my  adversary  give  way  a  little.     Slight 
though  the  motion  was,  it  instantly  removed  all  doubt  as 
to  who  should  go  down.     My  heart  gave  a  bound  of  ex- 
ultation, and,  with  the  energy  which  such  a  feeling  alwa-a 
inspires,  I  put  forth  all  my  strength,  threw  him  heavily 
over  on  his  back,  and  fell  upon  him. 

"  A  shout  of  applause  from  my  comrades  greeted  me 
as  I  rose  and  left  the  ground ;  but  at  the  same  moment 
the  attention  of  all  was  taken  from  myself  and  the  baffled 
Miseonna,  by  the  arrival  of  the  scout,  bringing  us  infor- 
mation that  a  party  of  Chipewyans  were  in  the  neighbor- 
hood. In  a  moment  all  was  bustle  and  preparation.  An 
Indian  war-party  is  soon  got  ready.  Forty  of  our  braves 
threw  off  the  principal  parts  of  their  clothing;  painted 
their  faces  with  stripes  of  vermilion  and  charcoal ;  armed 
themselves  with  guns,  bows,  tomahawks,  and  scalping- 
knives,  and  in  a  few  minutes  left  the  camp  in  silence  and 
at  a  quick  pace. 

"  One  or  two  of  the  youths  who  had  been  playing  on 
the  river's  bank  were  permitted  to  accompany  the  party, 
and  among  these  were  Miseonna  and  myself.  As  we 
passed  a  group  of  women,  assembled  to  see  us  depart,  I 


I   I 


i'lj  ,1 
III 


!f'F' ' 


■ill; 


'4 


152 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


observed  the  girl  who  had  caused  so  much  jealousy  be- 
tween us.  She  cast  down  her  eyes  as  we  came  up,  and 
as  we  advanced  close  to  the  group  she  dropt  a  white 
feather,  as  if  by  accident.  Stooping  hastily  down,  I  picked 
it  up  in  passing,  and  stuck  it  in  an  ornamented  band  that 
bound  my  hair.  As  we  hurried  on,  I  heard  two  or  three 
old  hags  laugh,  and  say,  with  a  sneer,  <  His  hand  is  as 
white  as  the  feather :  it  has  never  seen  blood.*  The  next 
moment  we  were  hid  in  the  forest,  and  pursued  our  rapid 
course  in  dead  silence. 

"  The  country  through  which  we  passed  was  varied,  — 
extending  in  broken  bits  of  open  prairie,  and  partly  cov- 
ered with  thick  wood  ;  yet  not  so  thick  as  to  offer  any 
hinderance  to  our  march.    We  walked  in  single  file,  each 
treading  in  his  comrade's  footsteps,  while  the  band  was 
headed  by  the  scout  who  had  brought  the  information. 
The  principal  chief  of  our  tribe  came  next,  and  he  was 
followed  by  the  braves  according  to  their  age  or  influ- 
ence.    Misconna  and  I  brought  up  the  rear.     The  sun 
was  just  sinking  as  we  left  the  belt  of  woodland  in  which 
our  village  stood,  crossed  over  a  short  plain,  descended  a 
dark  hollow  at  the  bottom  of  which  the  river  flowed,  and, 
following  its  course  for  a  considerable  distance,  turned  off 
to  the  right  and  emerged  upon  a  sweep  of  prairie  land. 
Here  the  scout  halted,  and  taking  the  chief  and  two  or 
three  braves  aside,  entered  into  earnest  consultation  with 
them. 

"  What  they  said  we  could  not  hear ;  ,but  as  we  stood 
leaning  on  our  guns  in  the  deep  shade  of  the  forest,  we 
could  observe  by  their  animated  gestures  that  they  dif- 
fered in  opinion.  We  saw  that  the  scout  pointed  several 
times  to  the  moon,  which  was  just  rising  above  the  tree- 
■LTj^/o,  cu^J.  tOcii  fcu  tiic  uisiuui.  iionzon,  out  tne  cnief  siiooK 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


153 


his  head,  pointed  to  the  woods,  and  seemed  to  be  much 
in  doubt,  while  the  whole  band  watched  his  motions  in 
deep  silence,  but  evident  interest.     At  length  they  ap- 
peared to  agree.    The  scout  took  his  place  at  the  head 
of  the  line,  and  we  resumed  our  march,  keeping  close 
to  the  margin  of  the  wood.     It  was  perhaps  three  hours 
after  this  ere  we  again  halted  to  hold  another  consulta- 
tion.    This  time  their  deliberations  were  shorter.     In  a 
few  seconds,  our  chief  himself  took  the  lead  and  turned 
into  the  woods,  through  which  he  guided  us  to  a  small 
fountain,  which  bubbled  up  at  the  root  of  a  birch-tree, 
where  there  was  a  smooth,  green  spot  of  level  ground. 
Here  we  halted,  and  prepared  to  rest  for  an  hour,  at  the 
end  of  which  time,  the  moon,  which  now  shone  bright  and 
full  in  the  clear  sky,  would  be  nearly  down,  and  we  could 
resume  our  march.     We  now  sat  down  in  a  circle,  and,, 
taking  a  hasty  mouthful  of  dried  meat,  stretched  ourselves 
on  the  ground  with  our  arms  beside  us,  while  our  chief 
kept  watch,  leaning  against  the  birch-tree.     It  seemed  as 
if  I  had  scarcely  been  asleep  five  minutes  when  I  felt  a 
light  touch  on  my  shoulder.     Springing  up,  I  found  the 
whole  party  already  astir,  and  in  a  few  minutes  more,  we 
were  again  hurrying  onwards. 

«  We  travelled  thus  until  a  faint  light  in  the  east  told 
us  that  the  day  was  at  hand,  when  the  scout's  steps  became 
more  cautious,  and  he  paused  to  examine  the  ground  fre- 
quently. At  last  we  came  to  a  place  where  the  ground 
sank  slightly,  and,  at  the  distance  of  a  hundred  yards, 
rose  again,  forming  a  low  ridge  which  was  crowned  with 
small  bushes.  Here  we  came  to  a  halt,  and  were  told 
that  our  enemies  were  on  the  other  side  of  that  ridge, 
that  th(  y  were  about  twenty  in  number,  all  ChinPwvan 
warriors,  with  the  exception  of  one  pale-face, -J^a  trap- 


'yy^ 


154 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


Hii.r- 


per,  and  his  Indian  wife.     The  scout  had  learned,  while 
lying  like  a  snake  in  the  gra«8  around  their  camp,  that 
this  man  was  merely  travelling  with  them  on  his  way  to 
the  Rocky  Mountains,  and  that,  as  they  were  a  war- 
party,  he  intended  to  leave  them  soon.     On  hearing  this 
the  warriors  gave  a  grim  smile,  and  our  chief,  directing 
the  scout  to  fall  behind,  cautiously  led  the  way  to  the  top 
of  the  ridge.     On  reaching  it  we  saw  a  valley  of  great 
extent,  dotted  with  trees  and  shrubs,  and  watered  by  one 
of  the  many  rivers  that  flow  into  the  great  Saskatche- 
wan.    It  was  nearly  dark,  'however,  and  we  could  only 
get  an  indistinct  view  of  the  land.     Far  ahead  of  us,  on 
the  right  bank  of  the  stream,  and  close  to  its  margin,' we 
saw  the  faint  red  light  of  watch-fires,  which  caused  us 
some  surprise,  for  watch-fires  are  never  lighted  by  a 
war-party  so  near  to  an  enemy's  country.     So  we  could 
only  conjecture  that  they  were  quite  ignorant  of  our 
being  in  that  part  of  the  country,  —  which  was,  indeed, 
not  unlikely,  seeing  that  we  had  shifted  our  camp  during 
the  summer 

"  Our  chief  now  made  arrangements  for  the  attack. 
We  were  directed  to  separate  and  approach  individually 
as  near  to  the  camp  as  was  possible  without  risk  of  dis- 
covery, and  then,  taking  up  an  advantageous  position,  to 
await  our  chiefs  signal  —  which  was  to  be  the  hooting  of 
an  owl.  We  immediately  separated.  My  course  lay 
along  the  banks  of  the  stream,  and,  as  I  strode  rapidly 
along,  listening  to  its  low,  solemn  murmur,  which  sounded 
clear  and  distinct  in  the  stillness  of  a  calm  summer  night, 
I  could  not  help  feeling  as  if  it  were  reproaching  me  for 
the  bloody  work  I  was  hastening  to  perform.  Then  the 
recollection  of  what  the  old  women  said  of  me,  raised  a 
desperate  sDi**>t  in.  ry-"-  '^o"-"*-     "d 1 ? *»       i-'- 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH.  155 

feather  in  my  head,  I  grasped  my  gun  and  quickened  my 
pace.     As  I  neared  the  camp,  I  went  into  the  woods  and 
climbed  a  low  hillock  to  look  out.    I  found  that  it  stiU 
lay  about  five  hundred  yards  distant,  and  that  the  greater 
part  of  the  ground  between  it  and  the  place  where  I 
stood,  was  quite  flat,  and  without  cover  of  any  kind.     I 
therefore  prepared  to    creep  towards   it,  although   the 
attempt  was  likely  to  be  attended  with  great  danger,  for 
Chipewyans  have  quick  ears  and  sharp  eyes.    Observing 
however,  that  the  river  ran  close  past  the  camp,  I  deter- 
mmed  to  follow  its  course  as  before.     In  a  few  seconds 
more,  I  came  to  a  dark,  narrow  gap  where  the  river 
flowed  between  broken  rocks,  overhung  by  branches,  and 
from  which  I  could  obtain  a  clear  view  of  the  camp  within 
fifty  yards  of  me.     Examining  the  priming  of  my  gun,  I 
sat  down  on  a  rock  to  await  the  chiefs  signal. 

"It  was  evident,  from  the  careless  manner  in  which 
the  fires  were  placed,  that  no  enemy  was  supposed  to  be 
near.     Frdm  my  concealment  I  could  plainly  distinguish 
ten  or  fifteen   of  the   sleeping  forms   of  our  enemies, 
among  which   the    trapper   was   conspicuous,   from   his 
superior  bulk,  and  the  reckless  way  in  which  his  brawny 
arms  were  flung  on  the  turf,  while  his  right  hand  clutch- 
ed his  rifle.    I  could  not  but  smile  as  I  thought  of  the 
proud  boldness  of  the  pale-face  -  lying  all  exposed  to 
view  in  the  gray  light  of  dawn,  while  an  Indian's  rifle 
was  so  close  at  hand.    One  Indian  kept  watch,  but  he 
seemed  more  than  half  asleep.     I  had  not  sat  more  than 
a  minute,  when  my  observations  were  interrupted   by 
the  cracking  of   a  branch   in   the    bushes    near    me. 
fc>tarting  up,  I  was  about  to  bound  into  the  underwood, 
when  a  figure  sprang  down  the  bank  and  ranidlv  rh- 
pioached  me.    My  first  impulse  was  to  throw  forward 


ill" 


IHi'r 


156' 


i:'!{i 


i!i 


lit        '     'I 


mi 
liiiiii 


'i 


ilill  i!ll!;!l'!!l!!ll 


MMm 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


my  gun,  but  a  glance  sufficed  to  show  me  that  it  was  a 
woman. 

«*Wah!*  I  exclaimed,  in  surprise,  as  she  hurried 
forward  and  laid  her  hand  on  my  shoulder.  She  was 
dressed  partly  in  the  costume  of  the  Indians,  but  wore  a 
shawl  on  her  shoulders,  and  a  hanaktrchief  on  her  head 
that  showed  she  had  been  in  the  settlements ;  and,  from' 
the  lightness  of  her  skin  and  hair,  I  judged  at  once  that 
she  was  the  trapper's  wife  of  whom  I  had  heard  the  scout 
speak. 

"  '  Has  the  light-hair  got  a  medicine  bag,  or  does  she 
speak  with  spirits,  that  she  has  found  me  so  easily?' 

"  The  girl  lookea  anxiously  up  in  my  face  as  if  to  read 
my  thoughts,  and  then  said,  in  a  low  voice  — 

"  *  No,  I  neither  carry  the  medicine  bag  nor  hold  pa- 
laver with  spirits ;  bat  I  do  think  the  good  Manito  must 
have  led  me  here.  I  wandered  into  the  woods  because  I 
could  not  sleep,  and  I  saw  you  pass.  But  tell  me,'  she 
added  with  still  deeper  anxiety, '  does  the  white  feather 
come  alone  ?  Does  he  approach  friends  during  the  dark 
hours  with  a  soft  step  like  a  fox  ? ' 

"  Feeling  the  necessity  of  detaining  her  until  my  com- 
rades should  have  time  to  surround  the  camp,  I  said  — 
*The  white  feather  hunts  far  from  his  lands.  He  sees 
Indians  whom  he  does  not  know,  and  must  approach  with 
a  light  step.     Perhaps  they  are  enemies.' 

'**  Do  Knisteneux  hunt  at  night,  prowling  in  the  bed 
of  a  stream  ? '  said  the  girl,  still  regarding  me  with  a 
keen  glance.  ^  Speak  truth,  stranger'  (and  she  started 
suddenly  back) ;  Mn  a  moment  I  can  alarm  the  camp 
with  a  cry,  and  if  your  tongue  is  forked !  —  but  I  do  not 
wish  to  bring  enemies  upon  you,  if  they  are  indeed  such. 
I  an  not  one  of  them.     My  husband  and  I  ti 


,,r^i  „.:iU 


FBOM  THE  PAK  NORTH.  jgy 

them  for  a  time.  We  do  not  desire  to  see  blood  r  ^ 
knows,'  se  added,  in  French,  which  seledTr'naS 
tongue,   I  have  seen  enough  of  that  already ' 

"As  her  earnest  eyes  looked  into  my  face   a  «,^a 
thought  occurred  to  me.    ■  Go,'  said  Im''  t . 
husband  to  leave  the  camp  instkntly,  L  t m  ml  hf" 
and  see  that  the  Chipewyans  do  'n'ot  obsZ  ^ourTe' 
P^ture.    Qu.^,  his  life  and  yours  may  dependTyot 

"The  girl  instantly  comprehended  my  meaning     T„ 
a  moment  she  sprang  up  the  bank,  butafsheTidt  it 

rrrpXeXi^-i-ri:-  ^^" '" 

"On  the  instant,  I  sprang  after  the  girl  andgrasDed 
her  by  the  arm.    .  Stay,  white-cheek,  it  I  too  iTT^ 

Hide  yourself  here,  perhaps';:  mtyX^  '^'^ 
Ihe  half-breed  girl  sank  on  a  fallen  tree  v^ith  a  a 

J'°r  "'^..yo-'g  wrestler  want  amtker  wife?'  .,« 
»^^.v„a  a  wud  laugh,  at  the  same  time  wrenching  hi 


158 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


arm  from  my  gripe,  and  driving  his  spear  through  the 
fleshy  part  of  the  woman's  breast  and  deep  into  the 
ground.  A  shriek  rent  the  air  as  he  drew  it  out  again 
to  repeat  the  thrust ;  but,  before  he  could  do  so,  I  struck 
him  with  the  butt  of  my  gun  on  the  head.  Stagger- 
ing backwards,  he  fell  heavily  among  the  bushes.  At 
this  moment  a  second  whoop  rang  out,  and  another  of 
our  band  sprang  from  the  thicket  that  surrounded  us. 
Seeing  no  one  but  myself  and  the  bleeding  girl,  he  gave 
me  a  short  glance  of  surprise,  as  if  he  wondered  why  I 
did  not  finish  the  work  which  he  evidently  supposed  I 
had  begun. 

"'Wah!'  he   exclaimed;  and  uttering  another  yell 
plunged  his  spear  into  the  woman's  breast,  despite  my 
efforts  to  prevent  him  —  this   time  with  more   deadly 
effect,  as  the  blood  spouted  from  the  wound,  while  she 
uttered  a  piercing  scream,  and  twined  her  arms  round 
my  legs  as  I  stood  beside  her,  as  if  imploring  for  mercy. 
Poor  girl !  I  saw  that  she  was  past  my  help.  The  wound 
was  evidently  mortal.     Already  the  signs  of  death  over- 
spread her  features,  and  I  felt  that  a  second  blow  would 
be  one  of  mercy ;  so  that  when  the  Indian  stooped  and 
passed  his  long  knife  through  her  heart,  I  made  but  a 
feeble  effort  to  prevent  it.     Just  as  the  man  rose,  with 
the  warm  blood  dripping  from  his  keen  blade,  the  sharp 
crack  of  a  rifle  was  heard,  and  the  Indian  fell  dead  at 
my  feet,  shot  through  the  forehead,  while  the  trapper 
bounded  into  the  open  space,  his  massive  frame  quiver- 
ing, and  his  sunburnt  face  distorted  with  rage  and  hor- 
ror.    From  the  other  side  of  the  brake,  six  of  our  band 
rushed  forward  and  levelled  their  guns  at  him.     For 
one  moment  the  trapper  paused  to  cast  a  glance  at  the 
mangled  corpse  of  his  wife,  as  if  to  make  quite  sure  that 


FEOM  THE  FAB  NORTH.  159 

she  waa  dead;  and  then  uttering  a  howl  of  despair 
he  hurlea  h,s  axe  with  a  giant's  force  at  the  iZ 
teneux,  and  d.sappea,ed  oyer  the  precipitous  bank  of  the 

"  So  rapid  was  the  action,  that  the  volley  which  imme- 
d.a.ely  succeeded  passed  harmlessly  over  L  he^  Xlt 
the  Indians  dashed  forward  in  pursuit.    At  the  saml  in^ 

r  "'"^r'  ^'"'"' '"  "■«  ««'«>•  The  axe  which 
the  trapper  had  flung  struck  a  tree  in  its  flight  and  J^ 

glanced  off,  the  handle  gave  »e  a  violent  blo'w  n  Is  ^ 
I  fel  stunned  As  I  did  so,  my  head  alighted  on  tht 
shou  der  of  the  woman,  and  the  last  thing  I  felt,  i  1 
wandenng  senses  forsook  me,  was  her  stm  war^  ZZ 
flowing  over  my  face  and  neck. 

"While  this  scene  was  going  on,  the  yells  and  screams 
of  he  warriors  in  the  camp  became  fainter  and  fairr  as 
they  pursued  and  fled  through  the  woods.  Thethote 
band  of  Chipewyans  was  entirely  routed,  with  the  excZ 
t,on  of  four  who  escaped,  and  the  t«.pp;r  whose  fltht  I 
have  described;  all  the  rest  were  slafn"a„d  their  llpf 
hung  at  the  belts  of  the  victorious  Kni^teneux  wLTori 
while  only  one  of  our  party  was  killed.  ^ 

"Not  more  than  a  few  minutes  after  receiving  the  blow 
that  stunned  me,  I  recovered,  and  rising  as  hastily  as  mv 
scattered  faculties  would  permit  me,  I  LggerldUa^s 
a  camp,  where  I  heard  the  shouts  of  oufmen  a!  th  J 
col  ected  the  arms  of  their  enemies.  As  I  r^e  Z 
feather  which  Wabisca  had  dropped  fell  f^m  mTLt 

wid  5r  """'^  '"''"^  ^'"'  ""^  "~^  of  "■« 

-  _  -o,,....  „,^  BiuuuiDg  among  bis  comrades 


160 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


H'. 


F; 


M  I 


iiiiill;! 


II  l!!l 
ill    ill 


^"'11 


iP     ill 


,l,i'     ' 


III  |l 'lip 


round   the  camp  fires,  examining  the  guns  and  other 
articles  which  they  had  collected.      He  gave  me  a  short 
glance  of  deep  hatred  as  I  passed,  and  turned  his  head 
hastily  away.   A  few  minutes  sufficed  to  collect  the  spoils, 
and  so  rapidly  had  everything  been  done,  that  the  light  of 
day  was  still  faint  as  we  silently  returned  on  our  track. 
We  marched  in  the  same  order  as  before,  Misconna  and  I 
bringing  up  the  rear.     As  we  passed  near  the  place  where 
the  poor  woman  had  been  murdered,  I  felt  a  strong  de- 
sire'to  return  to  the  spot.     I  could  not  very  well  under- 
stand the  feeling,  but  it  lay  so  strong  upon  me,  that  when 
we  reached  the  ridge  where  we  first  came  in  sight  of  the 
Chipewyan  camp,  I  fell  behind  until  my  companions  dis- 
appeared in  the  woods,  and  then  ran  swiftly  back. .   Just 
as  I  was  about  to  step  beyond  the  circle  of  bushes  that 
surrounded  the  spot,  I  saw  that  some  one  was  there  be- 
fore me.     It  was  a  man,  and,  as  he  advanced  into  the 
open  space  and  the  light  fell  on  his  face,  I  saw  that  It 
was  the  trapper.     No  doubt,  he  had  watched  us  off  the 
ground,  and  then,  when  all  was  safe,  returned  to  bury  his 
wife.     I  crouched  to  watch  him.     Stepping  slowly  up  to 
the  body  of  his  murdered  wife,  he  stood  beside  it  with 
his  arms  folded  on  his  breast  and  quite  motionless.     His 
head  hung  down,  for  the  heart  of  the  white  man  was 
heavy,  and  I  could  see,  as  the  light  increased,  that  his 
brows  were  dark  as  the  thundercloud,  and  the  corners  of 
his  mouth  twitched  from  a  feeling  that  the  Indian  scorns 
to  show.     My  heart  is  full  of  sorrow  for  him  now ; " 
(Redfeather's  voice  sank  as  he  spoke),  « it  was  full  of 
sorrow  for  him  even  then,  when  I  was  taught  to  think 
that  pity  for  an  enemy  was  unworthy  of  a  brave.     The 
trapper  stood  gazing  very  long.     His  wife  was  young ; 
he  could  not  leave  her  yet.   At  length  a  deep  groan  burst 


mm 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH.  jgj 

from  his  heart,  as  the  waters  of  a  great  river,  long  held 
down,  swell  np  ,n  spring,  and  burst  the  ice  at  Lt.  Gn>an 
followed  groan  as  the  trapper  still  stood  and  pressed  hi! 
r;  °\-'"^  ''"f  "■•-'.  -  if  to  crush  the  iJart "  tht 
At  last  he  slowly  knelt  beside  her,  bending  n,ore  aid 
more  over  t  e  ifeless  form,  until  he  lay  extended  on  thj 
ground  bes.de  ,t,  and  twining  his  ar™s  round  the  nel  he 
drew  the  cold  cheek  close  to  his  and  pressed  the  blood 

covered  bosom  tighter,  and  tighter,  while  his  form  quivered' 
w.th  agony  as  he  gave  her  a  last,  long  embrac"      Oh  '" 

eontmued  Redfeather,  while  his  brow  darkerd.  and  las 
b  ack  eye  flashed  with  a.>  expression  of  fierce^eTtha 

"At  length  the  trapper  rose  hastily.  The  exnression 
of  h,s  brow  was  still  the  same,  but  his'^^ou.h  wasS  d 
The  hps  were  pressed  tightly  like  those  of  a  brave  wlen 
le  .0  torture,  and  there  was  a  fierce  activi™  n  hi" 
mofons  as  he  sprang  down  the  bank  and  proceeded  to 
d.ga  hole  ,n  the  soft  earth.  For  half  an  hour  he  ,1 
bored,  shovelling  away  the  earth  with  a  largeTt  sLie' 
and  carrymg  down  the  body,  he  buried  it 'there       der 

M     ifle  Lt '  ""'""'•     "^"^  '-PP-  '"-  ^bo^ldered 
tas  1  lie  and  horned  away.     On   reaching  the  turn  of 

A  rr  !'™''  ^'"'^  "'«  ''"'^  ■«"'-  «"'  ^™m"iew 

"  '\'"  "^^'"'  ^'o"^' ""'  '^OH  glance  back,  and  then 
rm  ng  both  arms  an  the  air,  looked  up  Into  the  skv 
-^  le  he  .fetched  himself  to  his  full  hdght.  Even  a^ 
that  distance,  I  could  see  the  wild  dare  .-  h;^  „  1 

the  hpacin™  „r  i.-    ■_  gi-ne  o.  his  eye  and 

J  heavmg  of  h,s  breast.     A  moment  after,  and  he  was 

n 


U2 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


"  And  did  you  never  see  him  again  ?  "  inquired  Harry 
Somerville,  eagerly.  ^ 

"  No,  I  never  saw  him  more.  Immediately  afterwards 
I  turned  to  rejoin  my  companions,  whom  I  soon  over- 
took, and  entered  our  village  along  with  them.  I  was 
regarded  as  a  poor  warrior,  because  I  brought  home  no 
scalps,  and  ever  afterwards  I  went  by  the  name  of  Hed- 
feather  in  our  tribe." 

"But  are  you  still  thought  a  poor  warrior?"  asked 
Charley,  in  some  concern,  as  if  he  were  jealous  of  the 
reputation  of  his  new  friend. 

The  Indian  smiled.  «  No,"  he  said ;  «  our  village  was 
twice  attacked  afterwards,  and,  in  defending  it,  Redfeather 
took  many  scalps.     He  \yiw  made  a  chief! " 

"  Ah  !  "cried  Charley,  «  I'm  glad  of  that.  And  Wa- 
bisca,  what  came  of  her  ?     Did  Misconna  get  her?" 

"  She  is  my  wife,"  replied  Redfeather. 

"  Your  wife !  Why,  I  thought  I  heard  the  voyageurs 
call  your  wife  the  white  swan." 

"  Wahisca  is  white  in  the  language  of  the  Knisteneux. 
She  is  beautiful  in  form,  and  my  comrades  call  her  the 
white  swan." 

Redfeather  said  this  with  an  air  of  gratified  pride.  He 
did  not,  perhaps,  love  his  wife  with  more  fervor  than  he 
would  have  done,  had  he  remained  with  his  tribe ;  but 
Redfeather  had  associated  a  great  deal  with  the  traders, 
and  he  had  imbibed  much  of  that  spirit  which  prompts 
"white  men"  to  treat  their  females Vith  deference  and 
respect,  a  feeling  which  is  very  foreign  to  an  Indian's 
bosom.  To  do  so  was,  besides,  more  congenial  to  his 
naturally  unselfish  and  affectionate  disposition,  so  that 
any  flattering  allusion  to  his  partner  was  always  receiviu 


uj'  ixim  witii  iuiiiicuse  gratifican.on. 


FBOM  THE  FAB  NORTH. 


163 


"  I'll  pay  you  a  visit  some  day,  Eedfeather,  if  I'm  sent 
to  any  place  within  fifty  miles  of  your  tribe,"  said  Char- 

'^:  r".  ii'  ""■      """  "'"'  """^  '■""y  ""'Jo  »P  his  mind. 
And  Misconna  ?  "  asked  Harry. 

"  Misconna  is  with  his  tribe,"  replied  the  Indian,  and 
a  frown  overspread  his  features  as  he  spoke ;  "  but  Red- 
fealher  has  been  following  in  the  track  of  his  white 
friends ;  he  has  not  seen  his  nation  for  many  moons."       ' 


164 


SNOWFLAKES   AND  SUNBEAMS 


ill 


III 


i!  nil 


CHAPTER  Xm. 

THE  CANOE;  ASCENDING  THE  RAPIDS ;  THE  PORTAGE;  DEER  SHOOT- 
ING  AND  LIFE  IN  THE  WOODS. 

WE  must  now  beg  the  patient  reader  to  take  a  leap 
with  us,  not  only  through  space  but  also  through 
time.  We  must  pass  over  the  events  of  the  remainder 
of  the  journey  along  the  shore  of  Lake  Winnipeg.  Un- 
willing though  we  are  to  omit  anything  in  the  history  of 
our  friends  that  would  be  likely  to  prove  interesting,  we 
think  it  wise  not  to  run  the  risk  of  being  tedious,  or  of 
dwelling  too  minutely  on  the  details  of  scenes  which  re- 
call powerfully  the  feelings  and  memories  of  bygone  days 
to  the  writer,  but  may,  nevertheless,  appear  somewhat 
flat  to  the  reader. 

We  shall  not,  therefore,  enlarge  at  present  on  the  arri- 
val of  the  boats  at  Norway  House,  which  lies  at  the 
north  end  of  the  lake,  nor  of  what  was  said  and  done  by 
our  friends  and  by  several  other  young  comrades  whom 
they  found  there.  We  shall  not  speak  of  the  horror  of 
Harry  Somerville,  and  the  extreme  disappointment  of  his 
friend  Charley  Kennedy,  when  the  former  was  told  that 
instead  of  hunting  grisly  bears  up  the  Saskatchewan,  he 
was  condemned  to  the  desk  again,  at  York  Fort,  the 
depot  on  Hudson's  Bay,  a  low,  swampy  place  near  the 
sea-shore,  where  the  goods  for  the  interior  are  annu- 
ally landed  and  the  furs  shipped  for  England,  where  the 
greater  part  of  the  summer  and  much  of  the  winter  is 


FROM  THE  FAR  NOBTH. 


m 


occap,ed  by  the  clerk,  who  may  be  doomed  to  vegetate 
U,ere  m  making  up  the  accounts  of  what  is  termed  the 
Northern  Department,  and  where  the  brigades  converge 
from  all  the  w.de-scattered  and  far  distant  outposts,  an^ 
the  **,^  from  England-that  great  event  of  the  yelr- 
arnves,  keeping  the  pk.ce  in  a  state  of  constant  bustle 
and  effervescence  until  autumn,  when  ship  and  brigade! 
finally  depart,  leaving  the  residents  (about  thirty  i„  fZ 
ber   .aut  up  for  eight  long,  dreary  months  of  winter - 
w.th  a  tenantle^  wilderness  a^und  and  behind  them  and 
he  „.de^  col  .  frozen  sea  before.     This  was  amonTt^e 
fir,t  of  Harry's  d.sappointmeuts.   He  suffered  many  Jer 
wards,  poor  fellow  !  ^    '®'^" 

Neither  shall  we  accompany  Charley  up  the  south 
«.nchof  the  Saskatchewan,  where  his  mm'ost t pectl' 

where  he  became  so  accustomed  to  shooting  ducks  and 
geese,  and  bears  and  buffaloes,  that  he  could  „„t  forbear 
m.h„g  when  he  chanced  to  meet  with  a  red-legged  til 
and  .^emembered  how  he  and  his  friend  Har,/w  i' 
ported  themselves  when  they  first  met  with  these  bTI 
o„  the  shores  of  Lake  Winnipeg.  We  shall  pa  sever  al 
^.s,  and  the  summer,  autumn,  and  winter  too,  and  leap 
at  once  mto  the  spring  of  the  following  year  ^ 

can?  '  .T^^'S""'  '^h^^-7  morning  of  that  spring   a 
^n^  m,ght  have  been  seen   slowly  ascending'one  of 

tZriZ'"""^'  "'""■'  "'^«»'^-  through ^arichl^: 

i  nl1argtt7f.r"'""'""'^  '"^'^  ""''^^ 
small-one  of.h!  I  ^       T"  """""•    ^^^  <=■">»«  '  ■« 

Inllt"''!?'.''''"^  '!'P'""«  »f  "o'-J-g  only  two  persons 

"**ob**se.      10  any  one  unac- 


166 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUiNBEAMS 


hnM 


quainted  with  the  nature  or  capabilities  of  a  Northern 
Indian  canoe,  the  fragile,  brigiit  orange-colored  machine 
that  was  battling  with  the  strong  current  of  a  rapid,  must, 
indeed,  have  appeared  an  unsn^)  and  insignificant  craft ;' 
but  a  more  careful  study  of  ,t3  p.  rPoriaances  in  the  rapid,' 
and  of  the  immense  quantity  oi  miscellaneous  goods  and 
chattels  which  were,  at  a  later  period  of  the  day,  dis- 
gorged from  its  interior,  would  have  convinced  the  be- 
holder that  it  was  in  truth  the  most  convenient  and  ser- 
viceable craft  that  could  be  devised  for  the  exigencies  of 
such  a  country. 

True,  it  could  hold  only  two  men  (it  might  have  taken 
three  at  a  pinch,)  because  men,  and  women  too,  are 
awkward,  unyielding  baggage,  very  difficult  to  stow  com- 
pactly,  but  it  is  otherwise  with  tractable   goods.     The 
canoe  is  exceedingly  thin,  so  that  no  space  is  taken  up  or 
rendered  useless  by  its  own  structure,  and  there  is  no 
end  to  the  amount  of  blankets,  and  furs,  and  coats,  and 
paddles,  and  tent-covers,  and  dogs,  and  babies,  that  can  • 
be  stowed  away  in  its  capacious  interior.     The  canoe  of 
which  we  are  now  writing  contained  two  persons,  whose 
active  figures  were  thrown  alternately  into  every  grace- 
ful attitude  of  manly  vigor,  as,  with  poles  in  hand,  they 
struggled  to  force  their  hght  craft  against  the  boiling 
stream.     One  was  a  man  apparently  of  about  forty-five 
years  of  age.      He  was  a  square-shouldered,  muscular 
man,  and  from  the  ruggedness  of  his  general  appearance, 
the  soiled  hunting-shirt  that  was  strapped  round  his  waist 
with  a  parti-colored  worsted  belt,  the  leather  leggins,  a 
good  deal  the  worse  for  wear,  together  with  the  quiet 
self-possessed  glance  of  his  gray  eye,  the  compressed  lip 
and  the  sunburnt  brow,  it  was  evident  that  he  was  a 
hunter,  and  one  who  had  seen  rough  work  in  his  day. 


FROM  THE  FAR  NOSTH.  jg. 

The  expression  of  hi,  face  »as  pleasing,  despite  a  look  of 
hah,  „al  severy  ,vhich   sat  upon  it,  and  a  deep  soL 
wl„c     traveled  his  brow  fro™  the  right  temp  e  "^oT," 
top  of  h,s  nose     It  was  difficult  to  tell  to  wha^  coun  ry 
he  helonged.     His  tUther  was  a  Canadian,  his  ,ZuTl 
Seotchwo-na,,.     Ue  was  bon,  i„  Canada,  brought  up  i„ 
one  of  the  Yankee  settlements  on  the  Mi..,ouri,  and  had 
from  a  mere  you,!,,  spent  his  life  as  a  hunter  n  the  2 
derness.     He  could   speak  English,  French,  or  lL"a 
w.th  equal  ease  and  fluency,  but  it  would  hav;  been  ltd 
for  any  one  to  say  which  of  the  three  was  his  native 
ongue.     The  younger  man.  who  occupl-d  the  sterrof 
the  canoe,  acfng  the  part  of  steersman,  was  quUe  a 
youth,  apparently  about  seventeen,  but    dl  and  stout  be! 
yond  h,s  year.,  and  deeply  sunburnt.     Indeed,  were  It 
no.  for  .h,s  fact,  the  unusual  quantity  of  hair  that  1  unl 
m  nn.ss.ve  curls  down  his  neck,  and  the  vo,ja,eur  cos! 
ume  we  should  have  recognised  our  young  friefd  Char 
ley  Kennedy  again  more  easily,     nld  any  doub.?": 
ma.ned  .n  our  mind,  the  shout  of  his  .uer.^  voice  wouM 
have  scattered  them  at  once. 

"Hold  hard,  Jacques,"  he  cried,  as  the  canoe  trembled 
.n  the  current,  "one  moment,  till  I  cet  mv  nni?T  ^ 
M,ind.his  rock,     Kow,  then',  shove 'aLrd'    Ah.-'S 
e«la.med,  with  chagrin,  as  the  pole  slipt  on  the  tmch 
erous  bottom,  and  the  canoe  whirled  round. 

'M.nd  the  rook,"  cried  th-  bowsman,  giving  an  ener 
gebc  thrust  with  his  pole,  that  sent  the  light  ^barknto 
n  e  dy  formed  by  a  large  rock,  which  rol  above  th^ 
turbulent  waters.  Here  it  rested  while  Jacques  and 
Charley  ratsed  themselves  on  their  knees  (travelL  in 
s^aj.  canoes  always  sit  in  a  kneeling  j..tii)  to  sL;:; 


168 


'I'  M 


i 

i 

ii 
i 
1 

Ml 

! 
j 

SNOWFLAKES  AND   SUNBEAMS 


*'It's  too  much  for  ua,  I  fear,  Mr.  Charles,"  said  Jac- 
ques,  shading  his  brow  with  his  horny  hand.  "  I've  pad- 
died  up  it  many  a  time  alone,  but  never  saw  the  water 
BO  big  as  now." 

«  Humph  !  we  shall  have  to  make  a  portage,  then,  I 
presume.  Could  we  not  give  it  one  trial  more  ?  1  think 
we  might  make  a  dash  for  the  tail  of  that  eddy,  and 
then  the  stream  above  seems  not  quite  so  strong.  Do 
you  think  so,  Jacques  ?  " 

Jacques  was  not  the  man  to  check  a  djtring  younT 
spirit.     His  motto  through  life  had  ever  been  "Never 
venture,  never  win,"  — a  sentiment  which  his  intercour.o 
among  fur  traders  had  taught  him  to  embody  in  the  pithy 
expression,  "Never  say  die;"   so  that,  although  quite 
satisfied  that  the  thing  was  impossii:*?,  he  merely  replied 
to   his  companion's  speech  by  an  assenting  "  Ho,"  and 
pushed  out  again  into  the  stream.     An  energetic  effort 
enabled  them  to  gain  the  tail  of  the  eddy  spoken  of, 
when   Charley's  pole  snapt  across,  and,  falling  heavily 
on  the  gunwale,  he  would  have  upset  the  little  craft,  had 
not  Jacques,  whose  wits  were  habitually  on  the  qui  vive, 
thrown  his  own  weight   at  the  same  moment  on  the  op- 
posite side,  and  counterbalanced  Charley's   slip.      The 
action  saved  them  a  ducking ;  but.  the  canoe,  being  left 
to  its  own  devices  for  an  instant,  whirled  off  again  into 
the  stream,  and  before  Charley  could   seize  a  paddle  to 
prevent  it,  they  were  floating  in  the  still  water  at  the 
foot  of  the  rapids. 

"  Now,  isn't  that  a  bore  ?  "  said  Charley,  with  a  com- 
ical look  of  disappointment  at  his  companion. 

Jacques  laughed. 

"  It  was  well  to  try,  master.     I  mind  a  young  clerk 
who  came  into  these  parts  the  same  year  as  I  did,  and  he 


FROM  TIIK  KAB  NOUTH. 


169 


se  dom  (n.rf  anj.hmg.     He  couMn't  abide  canoe,.     He 
dunt  want  for  courage  neilherj  but  ho  had  a  nafral 
d.shke  to  thcin,  I  suppose,  that  he  couldn't  help    an,l 
never  entered  one  except  when  he  was  obliged  to  do  J 
We  I  one  day  he  wounded  a  grisly  bear  on  the  banks" 
0   the  Saskatchewan  (mn.d  the  tail  o'  that  rapid,  Mister 
Charles;  we'll  land  'tother  side  o'  yon  rock).     WeH  t  ' 
bear  made  after  him,  and  he  cut  stick  right  away  fo,'  the 
nver  where  there  was  a  canoe  hauled  up  on  the  bank 
He  d.dn't  take  time  to  put  his  rifle  aboard,  but  dropt  it' 
on  the  gravel,  crammed  the  canoe  into  the  water  and 
jumped  ,n,  almost  driving  his  feet  through  its  bottom  as 
he  d,d  so,  and  then  plumped  down  so  Aiddenly  to  pre- 
vent  ..s  caps.^,„g,  that  he  split  it  right  across.     By^hk 
t.me    he  bear  was  at  his  heels,  and  took  the  water  like 
«  duck     The  poor  clerk,  in  his  hurry,  swayed  f^m     d 
0  s,de  trym'  to  prevent  the  canoe  goin'  over.    But  when 
he  went  to  one  side,  he  was  so  unused  to  it  that  he  wen" 
too  far  and  had  to  jerk  over  to  the  other  pretty  shlro 
and  so  he  got  worse  and  worse,  until  he  heard  ^.:    1' 
g»^  a  great  snort  beside  him.     Then  he  grabbed  the 

-^e  Place,  w,ir;:^,:::;~xrkV::L^ 

own  a  b.t,  so  that  the  bear  didn't  observe  him  for  a 

wtLld^d'"'  '■'  ™^  '"''"''  '-""^  "'  "•«  -"-.he 
wa    earned  down  stream  like  a  log  and  stranded  Ln  a 

hallow.     Jumpmg  up,  he  made  tracks  for   the  wood 

and  the  bear  (which  had  found  out  its   mistake)  T.r 

h.m,  so  he  was  obliged  at  last  to  take  to  a  tree,  where 

n  nds  th,  k.ng  that  something  must  be  wrong,  sent  out 

to  look  for  him.    rSteadv.  now  m;..„.  oi— .,.        .... 

v7 J  ^■^<oivi  \^uux-iea.    A  iittie 


170 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


more  to  the  right  —  that's  it.)  Now,  if  that  young  man 
had  only  ventured  boldly  into  small  canoes  when  he  got 
the  chance,  he  might  have  laughed  at  the  grisly  and 
killed  him  too." 

As  Jacques  finished,  the  canoe  glided  into  a  quiet  bay 
formed  by  an  eddy  of  the  rapid,  where  the  still  water 
was  overhung  by  dense  foliage. 

"  Is  the  portage  a  long  one  ?  "  asked  Charley,  as  he 
stepped  out  on  the  bank,  and  helped  to  unload  the  canoe. 

"  About  half  a  mile,"  replied  his  companion.  "  We 
might  make  it  shorter  by  poling  up  the  last  rapid ;  but 
it's   stiff    vork.  Mister  Charles,  and  we'll  do  the  thin" 

O 

quicker  and  easier  at  one  lift," 

The  two  travellers  now  proceeded  to  make  a  portage. 
They  prepared  to  carry  their  canoe  and  baggage  over- 
land, so  as  to  avoid  a  succession  of  rapids  and  waterfalls 
which  intercepted  their  further  progress. 

«  Now,  Jacques,  up  with  it,"  said  Charley,  after  the 
loading  had  been  taken  out  and  placed  on  the  grassy 
bank. 

The  hunter  stooped,  and,  seizing  the  canoe  by  its 
centre  bar,  lifted  it  out  of  the  water,  placed  it  on  his 
shoulders,  and  walked  off  with  it  into  the  woods.  This 
was  not  accomplished  by  the  man's  superior  strength. 
Charley  could  have  done  it  quite  as  well ;  and,  indeed, 
the  strong  hunter  could  have  carried  a  canoe  of  twice 
the  size  with  perfect  ease.  Immediately  afterwards 
Charley  followed  with  as  much  of  the  lading  as  he 
could  carry,  leaving  enough  on  the  bank  to  form  an- 
other load. 

The  banks  of  the  river  were  steep ;  in  some  places  so 
much  so  that  Jacques  found  it  a  matter  of  no  small  diffi- 
culty to  chmb  over  the  broken  rocks  with  the  imwieldy 


I  il  i 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH.  171 

canoe  on  his  back ;  the  more  so  that  the  branches  inter- 
laced  overhead  m  thickly  as  to  present  a  strong  barrier 
through  which  the  canoe  had  to  be  forced,  at  the  risk  of 
damaging  Us  delicate  bark  cohering.     On  reaching  the 
comparatively  level  land  above,  however,  there  was  more 
open  space,  and  the  hunter  threaded  his  way  among  the 
tv.e  stems  more  rapidly,  making  a  detour  occasionally  to 
avoH  a  swamp  or  piece  of  broken  ground ;  sometimes  de- 
scendmg  a  deep  gorge  formed  by  a  small  tributary  of  the 
stream  they  were  ascending,  and  which,  to  an  unprac- 
tised eye,  would  have  appeared  almost  impassable,  even 
Without  the  incumbrance  of  a  canoe.     But  the  said  canoe 
never  bore  Jacques  more  gallantly  or  safely  over  the  sur- 
ges of  lake  or  stream  than  did  he  bear  it  through  the  in- 
tricate ma.es  of  the  forest;  now  diving  down  and  disap- 
pearing altogether  in  the  umbrageous  foliage  of  a  dell  • 
anon  reappearing  on  the  other  side  and  scrambling  up' 
he  bank  on  all  f„„rs,  he  and  the  canoe  together  looking 
Ike  some  frightful  yellow  reptile  of  antediluvian  propor- 
tions; and  then  speeding  rapidly  forward  over  a  level 
plain  untd  he  reached  a  sheet  of  still  water  above  the 
rapids.     Here  he  deposited  his  burden  on  the  grass ;  and 
halting  only  for  a  few  seconds  to  carry  a  few  dro^s  of 
the  clear  water  to  his  hps,  retraced  his  steps  to  bring- 
over  the  remainder  of  the  baggage.     Soon  afterward.! 
Charley  made  his  appearance  on  the  spot  where  the  ca- 
noe was  left,  and,  throwing  down  his  load,  seated  himself 
on  It  and  surveyed  the  prospect.     Before  him  lay  a  react 
of  the  stream,  which  spread  out  so  widely  as  to  resemble 
a  small  lake   m  whose  clear,  still  boso.»were  reflected 

here  the  bright  stem  of  a  silver  birch,  whose  light  greea 
leaves  contrasted  well  with  scattered  groups  anLoLry 


172 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


:i   -i 


specimens  of  the  spruce  fir.  Reeds  and  sedges  grew  in 
the  water  along  the  banks,  rendering  the  junction  of  the 
land  and  the  stream  uncertain  and  confused.  All  this 
and  a  great  deal  more  Charley  noted  at  a  glance ;  for 
the  hundreds  of  beautiful  and  interesting  objects  in  na- 
ture that  take  so  long  to  describe,  even  partially,  and  are 
feebly  set  forth  after  all,  even  by  the  most  graphic  lan- 
guage, flash  upon  the  eye  in  all  their  force  and  beauty, 
and  are  drunk  i.i  at  once  in  a  single  glance. 

But  Charley  noted  several  objects  floating  on  the  water 
which  we  have  not  ;ci    mentioned.      These  were  five 
gray  geese  feeding  a:  .ong  the  reeds  at  a  considerable  dis- 
tance off,  and  all  unconscious  of  the  presence  of  a  human 
foe  in  their  remote  domains.     The  travellers  had  trusted 
very  much  to  their  guns  and  nets  for  food,  having  only  a 
small  quantity  of  pemmican  in  reserve,  lest  these  should 
fail  — an  event  which  was  not  at  all  likely,  as  the  coun- 
try through  which  they  passed  was  teeming  with  wild- 
fowl  of  all  kinds,  besides  deer.     These  latter,  however, 
were  only  shot  when  they  came  inadvertently  within  rifle 
range,  as  our  voyageurs  had  a  definite  object  in  view,  and 
could  not  afford  to  devote  much  of  their  time  to  the 
chase. 

During  the  day  previous  to  that  on  which  we  have 
introduced  them  to  our  readers,  Cliarley  and  his  compan- 
ion had  been  so  much  occupied  in  navigating  their  frail 
bark  among  a  succession  of  rapids,  that  they  had  not 
attended  to  the  replenishing  of  their  larder,  so  that  the 
geese  which  now  showed  themselves  were  looked  upon 
by  Charley  with»a  longing  eye.  Unfortunately  they  were 
feeding  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river,  and  out  of  shot. 
But  Charley  was  a  hunter  now,  and  knew  how  to  over- 
come slight  difliculties.     He  first  cut  down  a  pretty  large 


FBOM  THE  FAR  NORTH.  jyg 

and  leafy  branch  of  a  tree,  and  placed  it  i„  the  bow  of 
the  canoe  ,n  such  a  way  as  to  hang  down  before  it  and 
form  a  perfect  screen,  through  the  interstices  of  which  he 
could  see  the  geese,  while  they  couid  only  see,  what  was 
.0  then  no  novelty,  the  branch  of  a  tree  flowing  dow# 
the  stream.    Havmg  gently  launched  the  canoe,  CharW 
was  soon  close  to  the  unsuspecting  birfs,  f^m  among 
wMch  he  selected  one  that  appeared  to  be  unusually  com 
placent  and  self-satisfied,   concluding  at  once,  wfthTn 
amount  of  wisdom  that  bespoke  him  a  true  philosopher 
.ha  such  ^„st  as  a  matter  ot  course  he  the  fLest  '      ' 
Bang     went  the  gun,  and  immediately  -      .feefc 
goose  turned  round  upon  its  back  and  streihed  out  ts 
ee   towards  the  sky,  waving  them  once  or  twice  a     f 
dd,„g  ad,eu  to  ,ts  friends.     The  othe.  thereupon  took 
to  flight,  w.th  such   a  deal  of  splutter   and  noise  a, 
.a^c  .t  ,^ite  apparent  that  their  astonishment  wrun- 
Ind  ise.  ^"^  ""'  ""'  """  ^»''™'  --^  '^°-  feu  a  sec 

dJJl'"  "''"'"''"e'J  Jacques,  throwing  down  the  remain- 
deof  the  cargo  as  Charley  landed  with  his  booty,  "tha^s 
2"-     I  was  just  thinking  as  I  comed  across"^  hat  we 
sLould  have  to  take  to  pemmican  to-ni»ht.» 
"  Well,  Jacques,  and  if  we  had,  I'm  sure  an  old  hunter 

plain,   said  Charley,  smiling. 

''As  to  that,  master,"  replied  Jacques,  " I've  roughed 
It  often  enough ;  and  when  it  does  come  to  a  clear  fix  I 
can  eat  my  shoes  without  grumblin',  as  well  as  any  man 
B     you  see  fresh  meat  is  better  than  dried  meafwhen 
« to  be  had  ;  and  so  I'm  glad  to  see  that  youVe  been 
lucky.  Mister  Charles."  ^ 

"To  say  truth,  so  am  I;   and  these  fellows  are  de- 


174 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


ii '' 


III  If  ilWIII 


||iii,l|||V' 


lightfully  plump.  But  you  spoke  of  eating  your  shoes, 
Jacques ;  v/hen  were  you  reduced  to  that  direful  extrem- 
ity?" 

Jacques  finished  reloading  the  canoe  while  they  con- 
versed, and  the  two  were  seated  in  their  places,  and 
quietly  but  swiftly  ascending  the  stream  again,  ere  the 
hunter  replied. 

"  You've  heerd  of  Sir  John  Franklin,  I  s'pose  ? "  he 
inquired,  after  a  minute's  consideration. 

"Yes,  often."    . 

"  An'  p'r'aps  you've  heerd  tell  of  his  first  trip  of  dis- 
covery along  the  shores  of  the  Polar  Sea  ?  " 

"  Do  you  refer  to  the  time  when  he  was  nearly  starved 
to  death,  and  when  poor  Hood  was  shot  by  the  Indian  ?  " 

"The  same,"  said  Jacques. 

"Oh,  yes  —  I  know  all  about  that.  Were  you  with 
them  ?  "  inquired  Charley,  in  great  surprise. 

"Why,  no — not  exactly  on  the  trip;  but  I  was  sent 
in  winter  with  provisions  to  them,  —  and  much  need 
they  had  of  them,  poor  fellows !  I  found  them  tearing 
away  at  some  old  parchment  skins  that  had  lain  under 
the  snow  all  winter,  and  that  an  Injin's  dog  would  ha' 
turned  up  his  nose  at,  —  and  they  don't  turn  up  their 
snouts  at  many  things,  I  can  tel)  ye.  Well,  after  we 
(had  left  all  our  provisions  with  them,  we  started  for  the 
fort  again,  just  keepin'  as  much  as  would  drive  off  star- 
vation ;  for,  you  see,  we  thought  that  surely  we  would  git 
something  on  the  road.  But  neither  hoof  nor  feather 
did  we  see  all  the  way  (I  was  travellin'  with  an  Injin), 
and  our  grub  was  soon  done,  though  we  saved  it  up,  and 
only  took  a  mouthful  or  two  the  last  three  days.  At 
last  it  was  done,  and  we  was  pretty  well  used  up,  and 
the  fort  two  days  ahead  of  us.     So  says  I  to  my  comrade 


FBOM  THE  FAE  NORTH.  175 

-who  had  been  looking  at  me  for  son,e  time  as  if  he 
thought  that  a  cut  off  my  shoulder  wouldn't  be  a  bad 
tn,ng_says  I,  'Nipitabo,  I'm  afeer'd  the  shoes  -nust  go 
for  ,t  now;  so  with  thaf  I  pulls  out  a  pair  „'  deerskin 
moccasons.  'They  looks  tender,'  said  I,  trying  to  b^ 
cheerful.  <  Wah,'  said  the  Injin  ,  and  then  /held  them 
over  the  fire  till  they  was  done  black,  and  Nip  1„  at 
one,_^and  I  ate  the  'tother,  with  a  lump  'o'  snowTotshl: 

^^jat  must  have  been  rather  dry  eating,"  said  Charley, 

"  Kayther ;  but  it  was  better  than  the  Injin's  leather 
breeches  which  we  took  in  hand  next  day.     Th  Tis 
««.»«»,»«  tough,  and  very  dirty,  bavin'  been  worn  Ibou 
"  year  and  a  half.     Hows'ever,  they  kept  us  up ,  an- 
as we  only  ate  the  legs,  he  had  the  benefit  o'  the    tum^ 
to  arrive  with  at  the  fort  next  day  "  ^ 

"  Wiat's  yon  ahead .' "  exclaimed  Charley,  pausing  as 
he  spoke,  and  shading  his  eyes  with  his  hand 
_  "It's  uncommon   like   trees,"    said   Jacques.      "It's 
-Kelyatree  that's  been  tumbled  across  ther.v.r-  and 
from  us  appearance,  I  think  we'll  have  .0  c^th^S 

"Cut  through  it!"  exclaimed  Charley ;  ''ifmysi»ht 
~h  a  gunflint,  we'll    .ve  to  cut  ti:.ugh  7doS 


:ti.  I'; 


ii"r'i 


176 


SNOWFLAKES  AND   SUNBEAMS 


down   to  the  water's   edge,  that  the  idea  of  raakino-  a 
portage  to  overcome  the  barrier  seemed  ahogether  hope- 

"  Here's  a  pretty  business,  to  be  sure  ! "  cried  Charley, 
^L  great  disgust. 

"  Never  say  die,  Mister  Charles,"  replied  Jacques,  tak- 
ing up  the  axe  from  the  bottom  of  the  canoe ;  "  it's  quite 
clear  that  cuttin'  through  the  trees  is  easier  than  cuttin' 
through  the  bashes,  so  here  goes." 

For  fully  three  hours  the  travellers  were  engaged  in 
cutting  their  way  up  the  encumbered  stream,  during  which 
time  they  did  not  advance  three  wiles ;  and  it  was  even- 
ing ere  they  broke  dcvn  the  last  barrier, and  paddled  out 
into  a  sheet  of  clear  wa^er  again. 

"  That'll  prepare  us  lor  thn  geese,  Jacques,"  said  Char- 
ley, as  he  wiped  the  perspiration  from  his  brow  ;  "  there's 
notliing  like  warm  work  for  whetting  the  appetite,  and 
making  one  sleep  soundly." 

"  That's  true,"  rephed  the  hunter,  resuming  his  paddle. 
"I  ofcen  wond3r  how  them  white-faced  fellows  in  the 
settlements  manage  to  keep  body  and  soul  together  — 
a'  sittin',  as  they  do,  all  day  in  the  house,  and  a'  lyin' 
all  night  in  a  feather  bed.  For  my  part,  rather  than 
live  as  they  do,  I  would  cut  my  way  up  streams  like 
them  we've  just  passed  every  day  and  all  day,  and  sleep 
on  top  of  a  flat  rock  o'  nights,  under  the  blue  sky,  all  my 
life  through." 

With  this  decided  expression  of  his  sentiments,  the 
gtout  hunter  steered  the  canoe  up  alongside  of  a  huge  flat 
rock,  as  if  he  were  bent  on  giving  a  practical  illustration 
of  the  latter  part  of  his  speech  then  and  there. 

"  We'd  better  camp  now,  Mister  Charles,  there's  a 
portage  o'  two  miles  here,  and  it'll  take  us  till  sundown  to 
get  the  canoe  and  things  over." 


<n  iii!ni!i!iiiiii! 


FROM  THE   FAR  NORTH.  jy^ 

"Beieso,"  said  Charley,  landing;  «;,  t,,ere  a  good 
place  at  the  other  end  to  camp  on  !"'  ^^ 

"Firstrate.  It's  smooth  as  a  blanket  on  the  turf 
and  a  clear  spring  bubbling  at  the  root  of  a  w  de  trel 

The  spot  on  which  the  travellers  encamped  that  even 
mg  overlooked  one  of  those  scenes  in  whicl.  vast    Z," 

much  that  was  grand  and  savage.  It  filled  th»  „•  a  , 
.he  calm  sati,-,.ction  that  is  elperie:f;rt  rt:: 
on  the  wide  lawns,  stud,>ed  with  noble  trees-  tl,!  7 

ing  Helds  of  waving  grain  that  ming trwi  h   tarand" 

»;in.;throboffreedomwrh\t'2Sr„rc:: 

b.oad  lands  tnat  are  yet  unowned,  unclaimed  •  that  vet 
^e  m  the  unmutilated  beauty  with  which  the  beneficen 
Creator  on^mally  clothed  them  _  far  away  from  he  we,I     ' 
Wn  scenes  of  man's  checkered  history';  en"      yT 

Im  «  ''  ""r"'  """""""^'^  «f  """>'«  power  and 
f '"'  *^'  ^''^■•y  ">«  "ind  back  with  feelings  of  ..e  "o 
bygone  ages;  yet  stamped  with  evidences  of  an  170  itv 

Tot    t": hi''"  "-^  i'' P-- forests,r;2 

their      eL?h  f        ""''"'"^  """^  ^P^"^"  ''"<'  '"-^-'ed  ^ 
"'       "''="«"'  «"•  centuries -trees  that  have  fallen  at 

a^  •hey  d.d,  hke  longlived  sentinels,  whose  duty  it  was 

:irar;iEr'^«---ofr 

fii? rnlr'th'?"'  ^  """^  "'-"^•'  •">"-  "P  ™ 
«,  under  the  branches  of  a  spreading  tree  which 

12 


178 


SNOWFLAKES  AND    SUNBEAMS 


::ij  I  riiFFrs 


illl"  !!,   i!^' 


Stood  on  an  eminence,  whence  was  obtained  a  birdseye 
view  of  the  noble  scene.  It  was  a  flat  valley,  on  either 
side  of  which  rose  two  ranges  of  hills,  which  were  clothed 
to  the  top  with  trees  of  various  kinds,  the  plain  of  the 
valley  itself  being  dotted  with  clumps  of  wood,  among 
which  the  fresh  green  foliage  of  the  plane-tree  and  the 
silver-stemmed  birch  were  conspicuous,  giving  an  airy 
lightness  to  the  scene  and  enhancing  the  picturesque  effect 
of  the  dark  pines.  A  small  stream  could  be  traced  wind- 
ing out  and  in  among  clumps  of  willows,  reflecting  their 
drooping  boughs  and  the  more  sombre  branches  of  the 
spruce-tir  and  the  straight  larch  with  which,  in  many 
places,  its  banks  were  shaded.  Here  and  there  were 
stretches  of  clearer  ground,  where  the  green  herbage  of 
spring  gave  to  it  a  lawn-like  appearance,  and  the  whole 
magnificent  scene  was  bounded  by  blue  hills  that  became 
fainter  as  they  receded  from  the  eye  and  mingled  at  last 
with  the  horizon.  The  sun  had  just  set,  and  a  rich  glow 
of  red  bathed  the  whole  scene,  which  was  further  enli- 
vened by  flocks  of  wild  fowls  and  herds  of  reindeer. 

These  last  soon  drew  Charley's  attention  from  the  con- 
templation of  the  scenery,  and,  observing  a  deer  feeding 
in  an  open  space,  towards  which  he  could  approach  with- 
out coming  between  it  and  the  wind,  he  ran  for  his  gun 
and  hurried  into  the  woods,  while  Jacques  busied  himself 
in  arranging  their  blankets  under  the  upturned  canoe, 
and  in  preparing  supper. 

•  Charley  discovered,  soon  after  starting,  what  all  hun- 
ters discover  sooner  or  later,  namely,  that  appearances 
are  deceitful,  for  he  no  sooner  reached  the  foot  of  the  hill 
th:,..  he  found,  between  him  and  the  lawn-like  couniry,  an 
almost  impenetrable  thicket  of  underwood.  Our  young 
hero,  however,  was  of  that  disposition  which  sticks  at 


FROM  THE  FAB  NORTH.  jyg 

nothing,  and  instead  of  taking  lime  to  search  foran  open- 
ing, he  toolc  a  race  and  sprang  into  the  middle  of  i^  in 
hope,  of  forcng  h,s  way  though.     His  hopes  were  not 

T7     ;     ,        ^"'  "'rough -quite  through -and 
ahghted  up  to  the  armpits  in  a  swamp,  to  the  infinite  con- 
stemafon  of  a  flock  of  teal-dueks  that  were  sIu^lerTng 
peacefuHy  there  with  their  heads  under  .heir  win»s,  a„1 
had  evdently  gone  to  bed  for  the  night.     Portn^ale  y  he 
held  his  gun  above  the  water  and  kept  his  balance  so 
that  he  was  able  to  proceed  with  a  I,y  charge, ,  J,;; 
wUhan  uncommonly  wet  skin.     Half  an  hour  b^u^ht 
Charley  w.thm  range,  and,  watching  patiently  until  the 
an,mal  presented  his  side  towards  the  place  of  h    con 
ce  hnenn  he  fired  and  shot  it  through  the  heart. 

Well  done,  M.ster  Charles,"  exclaimed  Jacques  as 
the  ormer  staggered  into  camp  with  the  reindeer  on  J! 
shoulders,  -  "  a  fat  doe  too."  ' 

so  pray,  Jacques,  rouse  up  the  fire,  and  let's  have  suuner 
as  soon  as  you  can."  "upper 

Jacques  speedily  skinned  the   deer,  cut  a  couple   of   ' 
saks  from  „s  flank,  and,  placing  them  on  wooden  sp  kes 

r;  hit^r/,'°T"^'"^  "'^  ^"""^^  ^--^  p-'o- 

Z  If'.       ''""°  ■"'  "'''«  ^fo'^  'he  blaze.     The  sroose 
w  ,ch  had  been  shot  earlier  in  the  day  was  also  plu!ked 

set  up  to  roast.     By  this  time  the  shadows  of  night  had 
deepened  and  ere  long  all  was  shrouded  in  glofm  t^' 

entr^':;::'^°?"^''^  ''''  '""""  "^^  -»P  «-. '"  "e 
at  the,r  backs,  knives  m  their  hands,  and  the  two  spits 
<»  he  .op  of  which  smoked  their  ample  supper,  plal  d 
m  the  ground  before  them.  »  P  ^"lea 


n^ 


|H|| 


<  '  If 


i'i  ill 


i         i 
!! 


mmwf 


,m\. 


!l 


180 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


One  by  one  the  stars  went  out,  until  none  were  visible 
except  the  bright,  beautiful  morning  star,  as  it  rose  higher 
and  higher  in  the  eastern  sky.  One  by  one  the  owIm  and 
the  wolves,  ill-omened  birds  and  beasts  of  night,  retired  to 
rest  in  the  dark  recesses  of  the  fores^  Little  by  little  the 
gray  dawn  overspread  the  sky,  and  ])aled  tJie  lustre  of  the 
morning  star,  until  it  faded  away  altogether,  and  then 
Jacques  awoke  with  a  start,  and  throvving  out  his  arm, 
brought  it  accidentally  into  violent  contact  with  Charli  y's 
nose. 

This  caused  Charley  to  awake,  not  only  with  i  start, 
but  also  with  a  roar,  which  brought  them  both  suddenly 
into  a  sitting  posture,  in  which  they  continued  for  some 
time  in  a  state  between  sleeping  and  waking,  their  faces 
meanwhile  expressive  of  mingled  imbecility  and  extreme 
surprise.  Bursting  into  a  simultaneous  laugh,  which  de- 
generated into  a  loud  yawn,  they  sprang  up,  launched 
and  reloaded  their  canoe,  and  resumed  their  journey. 


I  i" 


illi<!{IIIILl« 


iiiiiiniii 


FROM    TB       FAR  NORTH. 


181 


CHAPTER    XIV. 

THE  INDIAN  CAMP-  TirE  Mmv  ,        „.^o», 

T-V  the  eouncas  of  the  fur  traders,  on  the  spring  pre 
A  v,o„s  to  that  about  which  we  are  now  writC  I  hid 
heen  deeded  to  extend  their  ope™tio„s  .nttle  inlLnds 

wan   l{,ver ,    and  m  furtherance  of  that  object   it  h.A 
been  .nt^ated  to  the  chief  trader  in  charge    f'th    d.V 
trict,  that  an  expedition  should  be  set  nn  fL  . 
;-bject  the  examination  of  'a  .eXril^tr^ 

post  therein.    I,  was  furthermore  ordered  that  operations 

hould  be  commenced  at  once,  and  that  the  choic^  oTmen 

t   carry  out  the  end  in  view  was  graciously tft  to T 

oh.ef  trader's  well-known  sagacity.  ^  * 

fro^^  •      I  °     supply  of  goods  necessary  for 

recommendation  to  "  go  and  prosper."  '      ^  " 

.■>„M^"""m    ^'"""'^  'P'"'  P""  of  «'«  previous  year  at 

ocky  Mountain  House,  where  he  had  shown  so  much 

-rgyin  conducting   the   trade  -  especially  whaT  he 


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33  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  NY.  14580 

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•^'VV. 


182 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


called  the  "rough  and  tumble"  part  of  it,  that  be  was 
selected  as  the  clerk  to  accompany  Mr.  Whyte  to  his 
new  ground.  After  prc^^eeding  up  many  rivers,  whose 
waters  had  seldom  borne  the  craft  of  white  men,  and 
across  innumerable  "akes,  the  party  reached  a  spot  that 
presented  so  inviting  an  aspect,  that  it  was  lesolved  to 
pitch  their  tsnt  there  for  a  time,  and,  if  things  in  the  way 
of  trade  and  provision  looked  favorable,  establish  them- 
selves altogether.  The  place  was  situated  on  the  margin 
of  a  large  lake,  whose  shores  were  covered  with  the 
most  luxuriant  verdure,  and  whose  waters  teemed  with 
the  finest  fish,  while  the  air  was  alive  with  wild  fowl, 
and  the  woods  swarming  with  game.  Here  Mr.  Whyte 
rested  awliile ;  and,  having  found  everything  to  his 
satisfaction,  he  took  his  axe,  selected  a  green  lawn 
that  commanded  ap  extensive  view  of  the  lake,  and 
going  up  to  a  tall  larch,  struck  the  steel  into  it,  and 
thus  put  the  first  touch  to  an  establishment  which  after- 
wards went  by  the  name  of  Stoney  Creek. 

A  solitary  Indian,  whom  they  had  met  with  on  the  way 
to  their  new  home,  had  informed  them  that  a  large 
band  of  Knisteneux  had  lately  migrated  to  a  river  about 
four  days'  journey  beyond  the  lake,  at  which  they  halted ; 
and  when  the  new  fort  was  just  beginning  to  spring  up, 
our  friend  Charley  and  the  interpreter,  Jacques  Cara- 
doc,  were  ordered  by  Mr.  Whyte  to  make  a  canoe,  and 
then,  embarking  in  it,  to  proceed  to  the  Indian  camp,  to 
inform  the  natives  of  their  rare  good  luck  in  having  a 
band  of  white  men  come  to  settle  near  their  lands  to 
trade  with  them.  The  interpreter  and  Charley  soon 
found  birch  bark,  pine  roots  for  sewing  it,  and  gum  for 
plastering  the  seams,  w^herewith  they  constructed'  the 
light  machine  whose  progress  we  have  partly  traced  in 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


183 


the  last  chapter,  and  which,  on  the  following  day  at  sun- 
set carried  them  to  their  journey's  end. 

From  some  remarks  made  by  the  Indian  who  gave 
them  information  of  the  camp,  Charley  gathered  that  it 
was  the  tribe  to  which  Redfeather  belonged,  and  further- 
more, that  Redfeather  himself  was  there  at  that  time; 
so  that  it  was  with  feelings  of  no  little  interest  that  he 
saw  the  tops  of  the  yellow  tents  embedded  among  the 
green  trees,  and  soon  afterwards  beheld  them  and  their 
picturesque  owners  reflected  in  the  clear  river,  on  whose 
banks  the  natives  crowded  to  witness  the  arrival  of  the 
white  men. 

Upon   the  green  sward,  and   under  the   umbrageous 
shade  of  the  forest  trees,  the  tents  were  pitched  to  the 
number  of  perhaps  eighteen  or  twenty,  and  the  whole 
population,  of  whom  very  few  were  absent  on  the  present 
occasion,  might  number  a  hundred— men,  women,  and 
children.      They  were   dressed  in   habiliments  formed 
chiefly  of  materials  procured  by  themselves  in  the  chase, 
but  ornamented  with  cloth,  beads,  and  silk  thread,  which 
showed  that  they  had  had  intercourse  with  the  fur  traders 
before  now.     The  men  w6re  leggins  of  deer-skin,  which 
reached  more  than  half  way  up  the  thigh,  and  were  fast- 
ened  to  a  leathern  girdle,  strapped  round  the  waist.     A 
loose  tunic  or  hunting-shirt,  of  the  same  material,  covered 
the  figure  from  the  shoulders  almost  to  the  knees,  and 
was  confined  round  the  middle  by  a  belt- in  some  cases 
of  worsted,  in  others,  of  leather  gayly  ornamented  with 
quills.     Caps  of  various  indescribable  shapes,  and  made 
chiefly  of  skin,  with  the  animal's  tail  left  on  by  way  of 
ornament,  covered  their  heads,  and  moccasons  for  the  feet 
completed  their  costume.     These  last  may  be  simply  de- 
scribed  as  leather  mittens  for  the  feet  without  finger,  or 


184 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


rather  toes.  They  were  gaudily  ornamented,  as  was 
almost  every  portion  of  costume,  with  porcupines'  quills 
dyed  with  brilliant  colors,  and  worked  into  fanciful,  and 
in  many  cases,  extremely  elegant  figures  and  designs ; 
for  North  American  Indians  oftentimes  display  an  amount 
of  taste  in  the  harmonious  arrangement  of  color,  that 
would  astonish  those  who  fancy  that  education  is  abso- 
lutely necessary  to  the  just  appreciation  of  the  beautiful. 
The  women  attired  themselves  in  leggins  and  coats 
differing  little  from  those  of  the  men,  except  that  the 
latter  were  longer,  the  sleeves  detached  from  the  body, 
and  fastened  on  separately  —  while  on  their  heads  they 
wore  caps,  which  hung  down  and  covered  'their  backs  to 
the  waist.  These  caps  were  of  the  simplest  construction, 
being  pieces  of  cloth  cut  into  an  oblong  shape,  and  sewed 
together  at  one  end.  They  were,  however,  richly  orna- 
mented with  silk- work  and  beads. 

On  landing,  Charley  and  Jacques  walked  up  to  a  tall 
good-looking  Indian,  whom  they  judged  from  his  demean- 
or, and  the  somewhat  deferential  regard  paid  to  him  by 
the  others,  to  be  one  of  the  chief  men  of  the  little  com- 
munity. 

"  Ho  !  what  cheer  ?  "  said  Jacques,  taking  him  by  the 
hand  after  the  manner  of  Europeans,  and  accosting  him 
with  the  phrase  used  by  the  fur  traders  to  the  natives. 
The  Indian  returned  the  compliment  in  kind,  and  led  the 
'  visitors  to  his  tent,  where  he  spread  a  buffalo  robe  for 
them  on  the  ground,  and  begged  them  to  be  seated.  A 
repast  of  dried  meat  and  reindeer  tongues  was  then 
served,  to  which  our  friends  did  ample'justice  ;  while  the 
women  and  children  satisfied  their  curiosity  by  peering 
at  them  through  chinks  and  holes  in  the  tent.  When 
they  had  finished,  several  of  the  principal  men  assembled, 


FSOM  THE  FAR  NORTH.  jgg 

and  the  chief  who  had  entertained  them  made  a  speech 
to  the  effect  that  he  was  much  gratified  by  the  honor 
done  to  h,s  people  by  the  visit  of  his  white  bmthe.^ ;  that 
he  hoped  they  would  continue  long  at  the  camp  to  enjoy 
their  hospitality ;  and  that  he  would  be  glad  to  know 
what  had  bn,ught  them  so  far  into  the  cfuntr^  of  "hi 
red  men.  ^         "^^ 

During  the  coarse  of  this  speech,  the  chief  made  elo- 
quent allusion  to  all  the  good  qualities  supposed  to  belong 
to  white  men  m  general,  and  (he  had  no  doubt)  to  the 
two  white  men  before  him  in  particular.    He  also  boasted 
considerab  y  of  the  prowess  and  bravery  of  himself  and 
his  tribe ;  launched  a  few  sarcastic  hits  at  his  enemies, 
and  wound    up  with  a  poetical  hope    that   his   guests 
m^ht  hve   forever  in   these  beautiful   .lains  of  C 
where  the  sun  never  sets,  and  nothing  g«,s  wrong  any- 
where, and  everything  goes  right  at  all  times,  and  Chere, 
especially,   the  deer  are  outrageously  fat,  and   alwa™ 
<»me  out  on  purpose  to  be  shot!    DuHng  the  course  of 
these  remarks,  his  comrades  signified  their  hearty  con- 
urence  m  his  sentiments,  by  giving  vent  to  sundiy  low- 
toned  '<  hums !  '■  and  «  has  ! "  and  «  wahs  ! "  and  "  hos  t " 
according  to  circumstances.     After  it  was  over,  Jacques 
n>se,  and  addressing  them  in  their  own  language,  said :  _ 
My  Indian  brethren  are  great.     They  a.^  brave,  and 
heir  fame  has  travelled  far.    Their  deeds  are  known 
even  so  far  as  where  the  Great  Salt  Lake  beats  on  the 
*ore  where  the  sun  rises.     They  are  not  women,  and 

Mv  bi^t '  ^r'^  ^'"""'  "''^- ««'«''  of  *e  reindeer. 

My  brethren  are  famous,  too,  in  the  use  of  the  snow-shoe, 

m!^!Vf  *'  ^'"'-    '^"^  <■"  '^"-^^^  ^"'^  that  they 
■»«st  build  large  stores  when  they  come  into  their  lands. 


186 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


tjj, 


Ik  iliii!', 

''^m 


ll  ll  I 


llMiliniiiniiiiiffli 
I 


They  bring  up  much  goods,  because  the  young  men  are 
active,  and  require  much.  The  silver  fox  and  the  marten 
are  no  longer  safe  when  their  traps  and  snares  are  set. 
Yes,  they  are  good  hunters,  and  we  have  now  come  to 
live  among  you  (Jacques  changed  his  style  as  he  came 
nearer  to  the  point),  to  trade  with  you,  and  to  save  you 
the  trouble  of  making  long  journeys  with  your  skins.  A 
few  days'  distance  from  your  wigwams  we  have  pitched 
our  tents.  Our  young  men  are  even  now  felling  the 
trees  to  build  a  house.  Our  nets  are  set,  our  hunters 
are  prowling  in  the  woods,  our  goods  are  ready,  and  my 
young  master  and  I  have  come  to  smoke  the  pipe  of 
friendship  with  you,  and  to  invite  you  to  come  to  trade 
with  us." 

Having  delivered  this  oration,  Jacques  sat  down  amid 
deep  silence.  Other  speeches,  of  a  highly  satisfactory 
character,  vere  then  made,  after  which  "  the  house 
adjourned,"  and  the  visitors,  opening  one  of  their  pack- 
ages, distributed  a  variety  of  presents  to  the  delighted 
natives. 

Several  times  during  the  course  of  these  proceedings, 
Charley's  eyes  wandered  among  the  faces  of  his  enter- 
tainers, in  the  hope  of  seeing  Redfeather  among  them, 
but  without  success  ;  and  he  began  to  fear  th?  "lis  friend 
was  not  with  the  tribe. 

"  I  say,  Jacques,"  he  said,  as  they  left  the  tent,  "  ask 
whether  a  chief  called  Redfeather  is  here.  I  knew  him 
of  old,  and  half-expected  to  find  him  at  this  place." 

The  Indian  to  whom  Jacques  put  the  question,  replied 
that  Redfeather  was  with  them,  but  that  he  had  goii^  out 
on  a  hunting  expedition  that  morning,  and  might  be  ab- 
sent a  day  or  two. 

"  Ah ! "  exclaimed  Charley,  "I'm  glad  he's  here.   Come, 


i 


PBOM  THE  FAB  NOKTH.  jgy 

now,  let  us  take  a  walk  in  the  wood ;  these  good  peonle 
stare  at  us  as  if  we  were  sho^(» "  a„j  .  i  •  ,  "^  *^ " 
.^  !,«  1  J  I.-     t  gnosts.      And,  taking  Jacques' 

arm,  he  led  h,m  beyond  the  circuit  of  the  camp,  turned 

"IdV  '  ""'f '"■"•''"g—g  'he  thick  underw^. 
speedJy  screened  them  from  view,  and  led  them  into  a 
sequestered  glade,  through  which  a  rivulet  trickled  all 
Its  course,  almost  hid  fmm  view  by  the  dense  foliage  and 
long  grasses  that  overhung  it.  ^ 

"What  a  delightful  piLe  to  live  in!"  said  Charier 
"Do  you  ever  think  of  building  a  hut  in  such  a  p  [i 
this,  Jacques,  and  settling  down  altogether ' »  ^ 

Jharley's  thoughts  reverted  to  his  sister  Kate  when  he 

"  Why  no,"  replied  Jacques,  in  a  pensive  tone   as  if 
ha  quesfon  had  a„,used  some  sorrowful  reeoUec  io"s 
I  can  t  say  that  Td  like  to  settle  here  nou,.    ThereZ,' 

1  uaTi: :: '  r^i-i -''"•■'• -^  ^  ^^.r  zz  ■ 

-~- (Jacques  s,ghed;)  but  times  is  changed  now  master 
and  so  ,s  my  mind.     My  chums  are  mo!t  of  th  m  det^' 

s;f::;r»  ™^ "' °'^-  ^- ^  ^"ouidn.  c"L:t 

Charley  thought  of  the  hut  mihout  Kate;  and  it 
seemed  so  desolate  and  dreary  a  dwelling,  notl  thstend 
>ng  .ts  beautiful  situation,  that  he  agreel  witrhistm 
pamon  that  to  "squat"  afo„.  w„n,d  „'ever  do  at  ^l     " 

No,  man  was  not  made  to  live  alone,"  continued 

Jacques,  pursuing  the  subject,  "even  the  Ini^s  dmw 

o^ther.   I  never  knew  but  one  as  didn't  lite  his^iw: 

and  he  s  gone  now,  poor  fellow.    He  cut  his  foot  Jitl,  . 

axe  one  day,  while  fellin'  a  tree.    It  wa^  ^l^Z    Z 

irSt^'-^"'^'''-^^'"^^^^-'''^- 


188 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


"  By  the  way,  Jacques,"  said  Charley,  stepping  over 
the  clear  brook,  and  following  the  track  which  led  up 
the  opposite  bank,  "  what  did  you  say  to  these  red- 
skins ?  You  made  them  a  most  eloquent  speech  appar- 
ently." 

"  Why,  as  to  that,  I  can*t  boast  much  of  its  eloquence, 
but  I  think  it  was  clear  enough.  I  told  them  that  they 
were  a  great  nation  ;  for  you  see,  Mister  Charles,  the  red 
men  are  just  like  the  white  in  their  fondness  for  butter ; 
so  I  gave  them  some  to  begin  with,  though  for  the  mat- 
ter o'  that,  I'm  not  overly  fond  o*  givin'  butter  to  any 
man,  red  or  white.  But  I  holds  that  it's  as  well  always 
to  fall  in  with  the  ways  and  customs  o'  the  people  a  man 
happens  to  be  among,  so  long  as  them  ways  and  customs 
a'n't  contrary  to  what's  right.  It  makes  them  feel  more 
kindly  to  you,  an'  don't  raise  any  oniiecessary  ill-will. 
However,  the  Knisteneux  are  a  brave  race ;  and  when 
I  told  them  that  the  hearts  of  their  enemies  trembled 
when  they  heard  of  them,  I  told  nothing  but  the  truth, 
for  the  Chipewyans  are  a  miserable  set  and  not  much 
given  to  fighting." 

"  Your  principles  on  that  point  won't  stand  much  sift- 
ing, I  fear,"  replied  Charley ;  "  according  to  your  own 
showing  you  would  fall  into  the  Chipewyan's  way  of  glo- 
rifying themselves  on  account  of  their  bravery,  if  you 
chanced  to  be  dwelling  among  them,  and  yet  you  say 
they  are  not  brave.  That  would  not  be  sticking  to  truth, 
Jacques,  would  it  ?  "  , 

"  Well "  replied  Jacques,  with  a  smile,  "  perhaps  not 
exactly,  but  I'm  sure  there  could  be  small  harm  in  help- 
ing the  miserable  objects  to  boast  sometimes,  for  they've 
little  else  than  boasting  xo  comfort  them." 

"  And  ye<^,  Jacques,  I  cannot  help  feeling  that  truth  is 


PROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


189 


a  grand,  a  glorious  thing,  that  should  not  be  trifled  with 
even  in  small  matters." 

Jacques  opened  his  eyes  a  little.    «  Then  do  you  think 
master,  that  a  man  should  never  tell  a  lie,  no  matter  what 
fix  he  may  be  in  ?  " 

"  I  thiiik  not,  Jacques." 

The  hunter  paused  a  few  minutes,  and  looked  as  if  an 
unusual  train  of  ideas  had  been  raised  in  his  mind  by  the 
turn  their  conversation  had  taken.  Jmjques  was  a  man  of 
no  religion,  and  little  morality,  beyond  what  flowed  from 
a  naturally  kind,  candid  disposition,  and* entertained  the 
behef  that  the  end,  if  a  good  one,  always  justifies  the 
means, -~^  doctrine  which,  had  it  been  clearly  exposed  to 
him  m  all  its  bearings  and  results,  would  have  been 
spurned  by  his  straightforward  nature  with  the  indignant 
contempt  that  it  merits. 

"Mister  Charles,"  he  said,  at  length,  «I  once  travelled 
across  the  plains  to  the  head  waters  of  the  Missouri  with 
a  party  of  six  trappers.     One  night  we  came  to  a  part  of 
the  plains  which  was  very  much  broken  up  with  wood 
here  and  there,  and  bein'  a  good  place  for  water  we 
camped.     While  the  other  lads  were  gettin'  ready  the 
supper,  I  started  off  to  look  for  a  deer,  as  we  had  been 
unlucky  that  day-we  had  shot  nothin'.     Well,  about 
three  miles  from  the  camp,  I  came  upon  a  band  o'  some- 
where about  thirty  Sieux,  (ill-looking,  sneaking  dogs  they 
are,  too!)  and  before  I  could  whistle,  they  rushed  upon 
me,  took  away  my  rifle  and  hunting  knife,  and  were 
dancing  round  me  like  so  many  devils.     At  length  a 
big,  black-lookin*  thief  stepped  forward,  and  said  in  the 
tree  language-  '  White  men  seldom  travel  through  this 
country  alone ;  where  are  your  comrades  ?'  Now,  thought 
I,  here  s  a  nice  fix !  If  I  pretend  not  to  understand,  they'll 


190 


SNOWFLAKFS  AND  SUNBEAMS 


ttiM 


send  out  parties  in  all  directions,  and  as  sure  as  fate 
they'll  find  my  companions  in  half  an  hour,  and  butcher 
them  in  cold  blood ;  for,  you  see,  we  did  not  expect  to 
find  Sieux,  or,  indeed,  any  Injins  in  them  parts;  so  I  made 
believe  to  be  very  narvous,  and  tried  to  tremble  all  over 
and  look  pale.  Did  you  ever  try  to  look  pale  and  fright- 
ened, Mister  Charles  ?  " 

"  I  can't  say  that  I  ever  did,"  said  Charley,  laughing. 

"  You  can't  think  how  troublesome  it  is,"  continued 
Jacques,  with  a  look  of  earnest  simplicity  ;  "  I  shook  and 
trembled  pretty  well,  but  the  more  I  tried  to  grow  pale, 
the  more  I  grew  red  in  the  face,  and  when  I  thought  of 
the  six  broad-shouldered,  raw-boned  lads  in  the  camp, 
and  how  easy  th  :.y  would  have  made  these  jumping  vil- 
lains fly  like  chaff,  if  they  only  knew  the  fix  I  was  in,  I 
gave  a  frown  that  had  wellnigh  showed  I  was  shamming. 
Hows'ever,  what  with  shakin'  a  little  more,  and  givin'  one 
or  two  most  awful  groans,  I  managed  to  deceive  them. 
Then  I  said  I  was  hunter  to  a  party  of  white  men  that 
were  travellin'  from  Red  River  to  St.  Louis,  with  all 
their  goods,  and  wives,  and-  children,  and  that  they  were 
away  in  the  plains  about  a  league  ofl. 

"  The  big  chap  looked  very  hard  into  my  face  when  I 
said  this,  to  see  if  I  was  telling  the  truth ;  and  I  tried  to 
make  my  teeth  chatter,  but  it  wouldn't  do,  so  I  took  to 
groanin'  very  bad  instead.  But  them  Sieux  are  such 
awful  liars  nat'rally,  that  they  couldn't  understand  the 
signs  of  truth,  even  if  they  saw  them.  *  Whitefaced 
coward,'  says  he  to  me,  '  tell  me  in  what  direction  your 
people  are.'  At  this  I  made  believe  not  to  understand ; 
but  the  big  chap  flourished  his  knife  before  my  face, 
called  me  a  dog,  and  told  Ta^J  to  point  out  the  direction. 
I  looked  as  simple  as  I  could,  and  said  I  would  rather 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


191 


not.    At  this  they  laughed  loudlj,  and  then  gave  a  yell 
and  said  if  I  didn't  show  them  the  direction  they  would 
roast  me  alive.    So  I  pointed  towards  a  part  of  the  plains 
pretty  wide  o'  the  spot  where  our  camp  was.     ^  Now 
lead  us  to  them,'  said  the  big  chap,  givin'  me  a  shove 

with  the  butt  of  his  gun  ;  'an'  if  you  have  told  lies ' 

he  gave  the  handle  of  his  scalpin'  knife  a  slap,  as  much 
as  to  say  he'd  tickle  up  my  liver  with  it.     Well,  away 
we  went  in  silence,  me  thinkin'  all  the  time  how  I  was 
to  get  out  o'  the  scrape.   I  led  them  pretty  close  past  our 
camp,  hopin'  that  the  lads  would  hear  us.     I  didn't  dare 
to  yell  out,  as  that  would  have  showed  them  there  was 
somebody  within  hearin',  and  they  would  have  made  short 
work  of  me.     Just  as  we  came  near  the  place  wh  3re  my 
companions  lay,  a  prairie  wolf  sprang  out  from  under  a 
bush  where  it  had  been  sleepin',  so  I  gave  a  loud  hurrah, 
and  shied  my  cap  at  it.     Giving  a  loud  growl,  the  big 
Injin  hit  me  over  the  head  with  his  fist,  and  told  me  to 
keep  silence.     In  a  few  minutes  I  heard  the  low,  distant 
howl  of  a  wolf.   I  recognized  the  voice  of  one  of  my  com- 
rades,  and  knew  that  they  had  seen  us,  and  would  be  on 
our  track  soon.     Watchin'  my  opportunity,  and  walkin' 
for  a  good  bit  as  if  I  was  awful  tired  -  all  but  done  up- 
to  throw  them  off  their  guard,  I  suddenly  tripped  up  the 
big  chap  as  he  was  stepping  over  a  smaU  brook,  and  dived 
m  among  the  bushes.     In  a  moment  a  dozen  bullets  tore 
up  the  bark  on  the  trees  about  me,  and  an  arrow  Dassed 
hrough  my  hair.     The  clump  of  wood  into  which^I  had 
dived  was  about  half  a  mile  long;  and  as  I  could  run 
well  (I  ve  found  in  my  experience  that  white  men  are 
more  than  a  match  for  redskins  at  their  own  work,)  I 
was  almost  out  of  range  by  the  time  I  was  forced  to  quit 
tlie  cover  and  take  to  the  plain.     When  the  blackguk-ds 


192 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


,i,     i" 


got  out  of  the  cover,  too,  and  saw  me  cuttin*  ahead  like 
a  deer,  they  gave  a  yell  of  disappointment,  and  sent  an- 
other fthower  of  arrows  and  bullets  after  me,  some  of 
which  came  nearer  than  was  pleasant.  I  then  headed 
for  our  camp  with  the  whole  pack  screechin'  at  my  heels. 

*  Yell  away,  you  stupid  sinners,'  thought  I ;  *  some  of 
you  shall  pay  for  your  music'  At  that  moment  an 
arrow  grazed  my  shoulder ;  and,  looking  over  it,  I  saw 
that  the  black  fellow  I  had  pitched  into  the  water  was 
far  ahead  of  the  rest,  strainin'  after  me  like  mad,  and 
every  now  and  then  stopping  to  try  an  arrow  on  me  ;  so 
I  kept  a  look  out,  and  when  I  saw  him  stop  to  draw,  I 
stopped  too,  and  dodged,  so  the  arrows  passed  me,  and 
then  we  took  to  our  heels  again.  In  this  way  I  ran  for 
dear  life,  till  I  came  up  to  the  cover.  As  I  came  close 
up  I  saw  our  six  fellows  crouchin'  in  the  bushes,  and 
one  o'   them   takin'  aim   almost  straight  for  my  face. 

*  Your  day's  come  at  last,'  thought  I,  looking  over  my 
shoulder  at  the  big  Injin,  who  was  drawing  his  bow 
again.  Just  then  there  was  a  sharp  cr^ck  heard  —  a 
bullet  whistled  past  my  ear,  and  the  big  fellow  fell  like 
a  stone,  while  my  comrade  stood  coolly  up  to  reload  his 
rifle.  The  Injins  on  seein'  this,  pulled  up  in  a  moment ; 
and  our  lads  stepping  forward,  delivered  a  volley  that 
made  three  more  o'  them  bite  the  dust.  There  would 
have  been  six  in  that  fix,  but  somehow  or  other,  three  of 
us  pitched  upon  the  same  man,  who  was  afterwards  found 
with  a  bullet  in  each  eye  and  one  through  his  heart. 
They  didn't  wait  for  more,  but  turned  about  and  bolted 
like  the  wind.  Now,  Mister  Charles,  if  I  had  told  the  truth 
that  time,  we  would  have  been  all  killed  ;  and  if  I  had 
simply  said  nothin*  to  their  questions,  they  would  have 
sent  out  to  scour  the  country,  and  have  found  out  the 


lllRllili 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


198 


cnmp  for  snitin,  bo  that  the  only  way  to  escape  was  by 
tellm'  them  a  heap  o'  downrii^ht  lies." 
Charley  lot.ked  very  much  perplexed  at  this. 
"  You  have  indeed  placed  me  in  a  difficulty.     T  know 
not  what  I  would  have  done.     I  don't  know  even  what  I 
ought  to  do  under  these  circumstances.     Difficulties  may 
perplex  me,  and  the  force  of  circumstances  might  tempt 
me  to  do  what  I  believed  to  be  wrong.     I  am  a  sinner, 
Jacques,  like  other  mortals,  I  know ;  but  one  thing  I  am 
quite  sure  of,  namely,  that,  wtien  men  speak,  it  should 
always  be  truth  and  never  falsehood." 

Jacques  looked  perplexed  too.  He  was  strongly  im- 
pressed with  the  necessity  of  telling  falsehood  in  the  cir- 
curnstances  in  which  he  had  been  placed,  as  just  related, 
while  at  the  same  time  he  felt  deeply  the  grandeur  and 
the  power  of  Charley's  last  remark.  i^,. 

"I  should  have  been  under  the  sod  now,"  said  he,  "if 
I  had  not  told  a  lie  then.  Is  it  better  to  die  than  to 
speak  falsehood  ?  " 

"Some  raeo  have  thought  so,"  replied  Charley.     «I 
acknowledge  the  difficulty  yi^  your  case,  and  of  all  similar 
cases.    I  don't  know  what  should  be  done ;  but  1  have 
read  of  a  minister  of  the  gospel  whose  people  were  very 
wicked  and  would  not  attend  to  his  instructions,  although 
they  could  not  but  respect  himself,  he  was  so  consistent 
and  Christianlike  in  his  conduct.     Persecution  arose  in 
the  country  where  he  lived,  and  men  and  women  were 
cruelly  murdered  because  of  their  religious  belief.     For 
a  long  time  he  was  left  unmolested ;  but  one  day  a  band 
01  soldiers  came  to  his  house,  and  asked  him  whether  he 
was  a  Papist  or  a  Protestant,  -  (a  Papist,  Jacques,  bein^ 
a  man  who  has  sold  his  liberty  in  religious  matters  to  the 
i-ope,  and  a  Protestant  being  one  who  protests  against 

18  *' 


194 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


'I*  ' 


ill!'! 


Wmh 


'n\<  H  I 


lilllil 


such  an  ineffably  silly  and  unmanly  state  of  slavery.) 
"Well,  his  people  urged  the  good  old  man  to  say  he  was  a 
Papist,  telling  him  that  he  would  then  be  spared  to  live 
among  them,  and  preach  the  true  faith  for  many  years 
perhaps.  Now,  if  th^re  was  one  thing  that  this  old  man 
woul'l  have  toiled  for  and  died  for,  it  was,  that  his  peo- 
ple should  become  true  Christians,  —  and  he  told  them 
so,  *  but,'  he  added,  *  I  will  not  tell  a  Ae  to  accomplish 
that  end,  my  children ;  no,  not  even  to  save  my  life.'  So 
he  told  the  soldiers  that  he  was  a  Protestant,  and  imme- 
diately they  carried  him  away,  and  he  was.  soon  arter- 
wards  burned  to  death." 

"Well,"  said  Jacques,  "he  didn't, gain  much  by  stick- 
ing to  the  truth,  I  think." 

.  "  I'm  not  so  sure  of  that.  The  story  goes  on  to  say, 
that  he  rejoiced  that  he  had  done  so,  and  wouldn't  draw 
back  even  when  he  was  in  the  flames.  But  the  point  lies 
here,  Jacques :  so  deep  an  impression  did  the  old  man's 
condiict  make  on  his  people,  that  from  that  day  forward 
They  were  noted  for  their  Christian  life  and  conduct. 
They  brought  up  their  children  with  a  deeper  reverence 
for  the  truth  than  they  would  otherwise  have  done,  always 
bearing  in  affectionate  remembrance,  and  holding  up  to 
them  as  an  example,  the  unflinching  truthfulness  of  the 
good  old  man  who  was  burned  in  the  year  of  the  terrible 
persecutions ;  and  at  last  their  influence  and  example  had 
such  an  effect  that  the  Protestant  religion  spread  like 
wildfire,  far  and  wide  around  them,  so  that  the  very  thing 
was  accomplished  for  which  the  old  pastor  said  he  would 
have  died  ;  accomplished,  too,  very  much  in  consequence 
of  bis  death,  and  in  a  way,  and  to  an  extent  that  very 
likely  would  not  have  been  the  case,  had  he  lived  and 
preached  among  them  for  a  hundred  years." 


m 


I  1  \\ 


1 11 


III  1 1 


FROM  THE  FAB  NORTH. 


195 


« I  don't  understand  it,  nohow/'  said  Jacques ;  « it  seems 
to  me  right  both  ways  and  wrong  both  ways,  and  aU  up- 
side down  everyhow."  *" 

Charley  smiled.  « Your  remark  is  about  as  clear  as 
my  head  on  the  subject,  Jacques,  but  I  still  remain  con- 
vinced  that  truth  is  right  and  that  falsehood  is  wrong,  and 
that  we  should  stick  to  the  first  through  thick  and  thin." 

"1  s'pose,"  remarked  the  hunter,  who  had  walked  along 
in  deep  cogitation  for  the  last  live  minutes,  and  had  ap- 
parently come  to  some  conclusion  of  profound  depth  and 
sagacity,  «I  s'pose  that  it's  all  human  natur' ;  that  some 
men  taken  to  preachin'  as  Injins  take  to  huntin',  and  that 
to  understand  sich  things  requires  them  to  begin  young, 
and  risk  their  lives  in  it,  as  I  would  in  followin'  up  a 
grisly  she-bear  with  cubs." 

"Yonder  is  an  illustration  of  one  part  of  your  remark. 
They  begin  young  enough,  anyhow,"  said  Charley,  point- 
ing as  he  spoke  to  an  opening  in  the  bushes,  where  a  par- 
ticularly small  Indian  boy  stood  in  the  act  of  discharging 
an  arrow. 

The  two  men  halted  to  watch  his  movements.  Ac- 
cordingr  to  a  common  custom  among  juvenile  Indians 
during  the  warm  months  of  the  year,  he  was  dressed  ia 
nothing  s<>ve  a  mere  rag  tied  round  his  waist.  His  body 
was  very  brown,  extremely  round,  fat,  and  wonderfully 
diminutive,  while  his  little  legs  and  arms  were  dispro- 
portionately small.  He  was  so  young  as  to  be  barely 
able  to  walk,  and  yet  there  he  stood,  his  black  eyes  glit- 
tering with  excitement,  his  tiny  bow  bent  to  its  utmost, 
and  H  blunt-headed  arrow  about  to  be  discharged  at  a 
squirrel,  whose  flight  had  been  suddenly  arrested  by  the 

Unexoected  annnrifmn   /%f  (Hk^..! —  — J    T *      , 

..^^ ,.,.  „^   v/xic»iic}  uiiu  tiucques.     as  He 

stood  there  for  a  single  instant,  perfectly  motionless,  he 


ii  ;i;;iPi 


1 1 


196 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


might  have  been  mistaken  for  a  grotesque  statue  of  an 
Indian  Cupid.  Taking  advantage  of  the  squirrel's  pause, 
the  child  let  fly  the  arrow,  hit  it  exactly  on  the  point  of 
the  nose,  and  turned  it  over,  dead,  —  a  consummation 
which  he  greeted  with  a  rapid  succession  of  frightful 
yells. 

"Cleverly  done,  my  lad;  you're  a  chip  of  the  old 
block,  I  see,"  said  Jacques,  patting  the  child's  head  as  he 
passed,  and  retraced  his  steps,  with  Charley,  to  the  In- 
dian camp. 


iiilpli 

ij 

Mil 


I 


Hm 


iiii  iiiiiii'ii'iii'f 


III  nil 


11 


iill 


FKOM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


197 


CHAPTER  XV. 

THE  FEAST;     CHARLEY   MAKES   HIS    FIRST    SPEECH    IN  PUBLIC- 
MEETS  WITH  AN  OLD  FRIENDj    AN  EVENING  IN  THE  GRASS. 

O  AVAGES,  not  less  than  civilized  men,  are  fond  of  a 
^  good  dinner.     In  saying  this,  we  do  not  expect  our 
reader  to  be  overwhelmed  with  astonishment.     He  might 
have  guessed  as  much  ;  but  when  we  state  that  savages, 
upon  particular  occasions,  eat  six  dinners  in  one,  and 
make  it  a  point  of  honor  to  do  so,  we  apprehend  that  we 
have  thrown  a  slightly  new  light  on   an   old  subject. 
Doubtless,  there  are  men  in  civilized  society  who  would 
do  likewise  if  they  could ;  but  they  cannot,  fortunately, 
as  great  gastronomic  powers  are  dependent  on  severe, 
healthful,  and  prolonged  physical  exertion.     Therefore  it 
is  that  in  England  we  find  men  capable  only  of  eating 
about  two  dinners  at  once,  and  suffering  a  good  deal  for 
it  afterwards,  while  in  the  backwoods  we  see  men  con- 
sume a  week's  dinners  in  one,  without  any  evil  conse- 
quences following  the  act. 

The  feast  which  was  given  by  the  Knisteneux  in  honor 
of  the  visit  of  our  two  friends  was  provided  on  a  more 
moderate  scale  than  usual,  in  order  to  accommodate  the 
capacities  of  the  «  white  men ;  "  three  days'  allowance 
being  cooked  for  each  man.  (Women  are  never  admitted 
to  the  public  feasts.)  On  the  day  preceding  the  ceremony. 
Charley  and  Jacques  had  received  cards  of  invitation 


198 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


!i 


m-m  inMiiiJiilil! 


from  the  principal  chief,  in  the  shape  of  two  quills ; 
similar  invites  being  issued  at  the  same  time  to  all  the 
braves.  Jacques,  being  accustomed  to  the  doings  of  In- 
dians, and  aware  of  the  fact,  that  whatever  was  provided 
for  each  man,  must  be  eaten  before  he  quitted  the  scene 
of  operations,  advised  Charley  to  eat  no  breakfast,  and  to 
take  a  good  walk  as  a  preparative.  Charley  had  strong 
faith,  however,  in  his  digestive  powers,  and  felt  much  in- 
clined, when  morning  came,  to  satisfy  the  cravings  of  his 
appetite  as  usual ;  but  Jacques  drew  such  a  graphic  pic- 
ture of  the  work  that  lay  before  him,  that  he  forbore  to 
urge  the  matter,  and  went  off  to  walk  with  a  light  step, 
and  an  uncomfortable  feeling  of  vacuity  about  the  region 
of  tjie  stomach. 

About  noon,  the  chiefs  and  braves  assembled  in  an 
open  enclosure  situated  in  an  exposed  place  on  the  banks 
of  the  river,  where  the  proceedings  were  watched  by  the 
women,  children,  and  dogs.  The  oldest  chief  sat  himself 
down  on  the  turf  at  one  end  of  the  enclosure,  with 
Jacques  Caradoc  on  his  right  hand,  and  next  to  him 
Charley  Kennedy,  who  had  ornamented  himself  with  a 
blue  stripe  painted  down  the  middle  of  his  nose,  and  a 
red  bar  across  his  chin.  Charley's  propensity  for  fun 
had  led  him  thus  to  decorate  his  face,  in  spite  of  his 
companion's  remonstrances,  urging,  by  way  of  excuse, 
that  worthy's  former  argument,  "  that  it  was  well  to  fall 
in  with  the  ways  o'  the  people  a  man  happened  to  be 
among,  so  long  as  these  ways  and  customsi  were  not  con- 
trary to  what  was  right."  Now,  Charley  was  sure  there 
was  nothing  wrong  in  his  painting  his  nose  sky-blue,  if  he 
thought  fit. 

Jacques  thought  it  was  absurd,  and  entertained  the 
opinion  that  it  would  be  more  dignified  to  leave  his  face 
"  its  nat'ral  color." 


FROM  THE  FAB  NORTH. 


199 


Charley  didn't  agree  with  him  at  all.  He  thought  it 
would  be  paying  the  Indians  a  high  compliment  to  follow 
their  customs  as  far  as  possible,  and  said,  that,  after  all, 
his  blue  nose  would  not  be  very  conspicuous,  as  he 
(Jacques)  had  told  him  that  he  would  "  look  blue  "  at  any 
rate,  when  he  saw  the  quantity  of  deer's  meat  he  should 
have  to  devour. 

Jacques  laughed  at  this,  but  suggested  that  the  bar 
across  his  chin  was  red.  Whereupon  Charley  said  that 
he  could  easily  neutralize  that  by  putting  a  green  star 
under  each  eye.  And  then  uttered  a  fervent  wish  that 
his  friend  Harry  Somerville  could  only  see  him  in  that 
guise.  Finding  him  incorrigible,  Jacques,  who,  notwith- 
standmg  his  remonstrances,  was  more  than  half  imbued 
with  Charley's  spirit,  gave  in,  and  accompanied  him  to 
the  feast,  himself  decorated  with  the  additional- ornament 
of  a  red  nightcap,  to  whose  crown  was  attached  a  tuft  of 
white  feathers. 

A  fire  burne''.  in  the  centre  of  the  enclosure,  round 
which  the  Indians  seated  themselves  according  to  sen- 
iority, and  with  deep  solemnity ;  for  it  is  a  trait  in  the  In- 
dian's character  that  all  his  ceremonies  are  performed 
with  extreme  gravity.  Ea«ch  man  brought  a  dish  or 
platter,  and  a  wooden  spoon. 

The  old  chief,  whose  hair  was  very  gray,  and  his  face 
covered  with  old  wounds  and  scars,  received  either  in  war 
or  in  hunting,  having  seated  himself,  allowed  a  few 
mmutes  to  elapse  in  silence,  during  which  the  company 
sat  motionless ;  gazing  at  their  plates  as  if  they  half 
expected  them  to  become  converted  into  beefsteaks. 
While  they  were  seated  thu^.  nother  party  of  Indians, 
Who  had  been  absent  on  a  hunting  expedition,  stmde 
rapidly  but  noiselessly  into   the    enclosure,  and  seated 


200 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


!ii|i 


themselves  in  the  circle.  One  of  these  passed  close 
to  Charley,  and  in  doing  so  stooped,  took  his  hand, 
and  pressed  it.  Charley  looked  up  in  surprise,  and 
beheld  the  face  of  his  old  friend  Redfeather,  gazing  at 
hira  with  an  expression  in  which  was  mingled  affection, 
surprise,  and  amusement  at  the  peculiar  alteration  in  his 
visage. 

"  Redfeather ! "  exclaimed  Charley,  in  delight,  half 
rising ;  but  the  Indian  pressed  him  down. 

"  You  must  not  rise,"  he  whispered,  and,  giving  his 
hand  another  squeeze,  passed  round  the  circle,  and  took 
his  place  directly  opposite. 

Having  continued  motionless  for  five  minutes  with 
becpming  gravity,  the  company  began  operations  by  pro- 
ceeding to  smoke  out  of  the  sacred  stem,  a  ceremony 
which  prdbedes  all  occasions  of  importance ;  and  is  con- 
ducted as  follows  :  —  The  sacred  stem  is  placed  on  two 
forked  sticks  to  prevent  its  touching  the  ground,  as  that 
would  be  considered  a  great  evil.  A  stone  pipe  is 
then  filled  with  tobacco,  by  an  attendant  appointed  spe- 
cially to  that  ofiice,  and  affixed  to  the  stem,  which  is 
presented  to  the  principal  chief.  That  individual,  with 
a  gravity  and  hauteur  that  .is  unsurpassed  in  the  annals 
of  pomposity,  receives  the  pipe  in  both  hands,  blows  a 
puff  to  the  east,  (probably  in  consequence  of  its  be- 
ing the  quarter  whence  the  sun  rises,)  and  thereafter 
pays  a  similar  mark  of  attention  to  the  other  three 
points.  He  then  raises  the  pipe  above  his  head,  points 
and  balances  it  in  various  directions,  (for  what  rea- 
son and  with  what  end  in  view  is  best  known  to  him- 
self,) and  replaces  it  again  on  the  forks.  The  company 
meanwhile  observe  his  proceedings  with  sedate  interest, 
evidently  imbued  with  the  idea  thai  they  are  denying 


il,: 


!.fi'i  :!:i!  j  P.:!'""i'Ni 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


201 


from  the  ceremony  a  vast  amount  of  edification ;  an  idea 
which  is  helped  out,  doubtless,  by  the  appearance  of  the 
women  and  children,  who  surround  the  enclosure,  and 
gaze  at  the  proceedings  with  looks  of  awe-struck  seri- 
ousness that  is  quite  solemnizing  to  behold. 

The  chief  then  makes  a  speech  relative  to  the  circum- 
stance which  has  called  them  together;  and  which  is 
always  more  or  less  interUirded  with  boastful  reference 
to  his  own  deeds,  past,  pri^ent,  and  prospective,  eulo- 
gistic remarks  on  those  of  his  forefathers,  and  a  general 
condemnation  of  all  other  Indian  tribes  whatever.  These 
speeches  are  usually  delivered  with  great  animation,  and 
contain  much  poetic  allusion  to  the  objects  of  nature 
that  surround  the  homes  of  the  savage.  The  speech 
being  finished,  the  chief  sits  down  amid  a  universal 
"  Ho  ! "  uttered  by  the  company  with  an  emphatic  pro- 
longation of  the  last  letter,  — this  syllable  being  the 
Indian  substitute,  we  presume,  for  "  rapturous  applause." 

The  chief  who  officiated  on  the  present  occasion,  hav- 
ing accomplished  the  opening  ceremonies  thus  far,  sat 
down,  while  the  pipe-bearer  presented  the  sacred  stem 
to  the  members  of  the  company  in  succession,,  each  of 
whom  drew  a  few  whifi*s  and  mumbled  a  few  words. 

"Do  as  you  see  the  redskins  do.  Mister  Charles,? 
whispered  Jacques,  while  the  pipe  was  going  round.. 

"  That's  impossible,"  replied  Charley,  in  a  tone  that 
could  not  be  heard  except  by  his  friend.  « I  couldn't 
make  a  face  of  hideous  solemnity  like  that  black  thief 
opposite,  if  I  was  to  try  ever  so  hard." 

"  Don't  let  them  think  you're  laughing  at  them,"  re- 
turned the  hunter;  "they  would  be  ill-pleased  if  they 
thought  so."  , 

"I'll  trv."  said    ThflrlAv    « hnf  if  ia  hard 


TT  \^±  xxa 


j£C= 


<>02 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


I'  I  'w\\  1 


< 


!ii'll||!,'i'fl 
■    II 


ques,  to  keep  from  laughing ;  I  feel  like  a  high-pressure 
steam-engine  already.  There's  a  woman  standing  out 
there  with  a  little  brown  baby  on  her  back  ;  she  has  quite 
fascinated  me  ;  I  can't  keep  my  eyes  off  her,  and  if  she 
goes  on  contorting  her  visage  much  longer,  I  feel  that  I 
shall  give  way." 

"Hush!"  * 

At  this  moment  the  pipe  was  presented  to  Charley, 
who  put  it  to  his  lips,  drew  three  whiffs,  and  returned  it 
with  a  bland  smile  to  the  bearer. 

The  smile  was  a  very  sweet  one,  for  that  was  a  peculiar 
irait  in  the  native  urbanity  of  Charley's  disposition,  and 
lit  would  have  gone  far  in  civilized  society  to  prepossess 
;Strangers  in  his  favor ;  but  it  lowered  him  considerably 
in  the  estimation  of  his  red  friends,  who  entertained  a 
wholesome  feeling  of  contempt  for  any  appearance  of 
levity  on  high  occasions.  But  Charley's  face  was  of 
that  agreeable  stamp,  that,  though  gentle  and  bland  " 
when  lighted  up  with  a  smile,  is  particularly  masculine 
and  manly  in  expression  when  in  repose,  and  the  frown 
that  knit  his  brows  when  he  observed  the  bad  impres- 
sion he  had  given,  almost  reinstated  him  in  their  esteem. 
But  his  popularity  became  great,  and  the  admiration  of 
his  swarthy  friends  greater,  when  he  rose  and  made  an 
eloquent  speech  in  English,  which  Jacques  translated 
into  the  Indian  language. 

He  told  them,  in  reply  to  the  chief's  oration,  (wherein 
that  warrior  had  complimented  his  pale-faced  brothers 
on  their  numerous  good  qualities,)  that  he  was  delighted 
and  proud  to  meet  with  his  Indian  friends  ;  that  the  ob- 
ject of  his  mission  was  to  acquaint  them  with  the  fact 
that  a  new  trading  fort  was  established  not  far  off,  by 

bimsftlT  g.nd    bia   nnrrtrarlptq     ■fni«   flioir.  anomol   Kono'Af   n-nA 




lHli        11,11111,  [i, 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


203 


behoof  J  that  the  stores  were  full  of  goods  which  he  hoped 
they  would  soon  obtain  possession  of,  in  exchange  for 
furs ;  that  he  had  travelled  a  great  distance  on  purpose 
to  see  their  land  and  ascertain  its  capabilities  in  the  way 
of  fur-bearing  animals  and  game ;  that  he  had  not  been 
disappomted  in   his   expectations,  as  he  had  found  the 
animals  to  be  as  numerous  as  bees,  the  fish  plentiful  in 
the  rivers  and  lakes,  and  the  country  at  large  a  perfect 
paradise.      He  proceeded  to  tell  them  further  that  he 
expected  they  would  justify  the  report  he  had  heard  of 
them,  that  they  were  a  brave  nation  and  good  hunters, 
by  bringing  in  large  quantities  of  furs. 
.    Being  strongly  urged  by  Jacques  to  compliment  them 
on  their  various  good  qualities,  Charley  launched  out  into 
an  extravagantly  poetic  vein,  said  that  he  had  heard  (but 
he  hoped  to,have  many  opportunities  of  seeing  it  proved) 
that  there  was  no  nation  under  the  sun  equal  to  them  in 
bravery,  activity,  and  perseverance;  that  he  had  heard  of 
men  in  olden  times  who  made  it  their  profession  to  fight 
with  wild  bulls  for  the  amusement  of  their  friends,  but  he 
had  no  doubt  whatever  their  courage  would  be  made  con- 
spicuous in  the  way  of  fighting  wild  bears  and  buffaloes, 
not  for  the  amusement,  but  the  benefit  of  their  wiv.s  and 
children,  (he  might  have  added  of  the  Hudson's  Bay 
Company,  but  he  didn't,  supposing  that  that  was  self- 
evident,  probably.)     He  complimented  them  on  the  way 
in  which  they  had  conducted  themselves  in  war  in  times 
past,  comparing  their  stealthy  approach  to  enemies'  camps 
to  the  insidious  snake  that  glides  among  the  bushes  and 
darts  unexpectedly  on  its  prey ;  said  that  their  eyes  were 
sharp  to  follow  the  war-trail  through  the  forest  or  over 
the  dry  sward  of  the  prairie ;  their  aim  with  gun  or  bow 
irue  and  sure  as  the  flight  of  the  goose  when  it  leaves 


204 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


ill  I  rl( 


the  lands  of  the  sun,  and  points  its  beak  to  the  icy  re- 
gions of  the  north ;  their  warwhoops  loud  as  the  thunders 
of  the  cataract ;  and  their  sudden  onset  like  the  lightning 
flash  that  darts  from  the  sky  and  scatters  the  stout  oak  in 
splinters  on  the  plain. 

At  this  point  Jacques  expressed  his  satisfaction  at  the 
Btyle  in  which  his  young  friend  was  progressing. 

"  That's  your  sort,  Mister  Charles.  Don't  spare  the 
butter.  Lay  it  on  thick.  You've  not  said  too  much  yet, 
for  they  are  a  brave  race,  that's  a  fact,  as  I've  good 
reason  to  know." 

Jacques,  however,  did  not  feel  quite  so  well  satisfied 
when  Charley  went  on  to  tell  them  that,  ajlthough  bravery 
in  war  was  an  admirable  thing,  war  itself  was  a  thing 
not  at  all  to  be  desired,  and  should  onlj  oe  undertaken  in 
case  of  necessity.  He  especially  pointed  out  that  there 
was  not  much  glory  to  be  earned  in  fighting  against  the 
Chipewyans,  who,  everybody  knew,  were  a  poor,  timid 
set  of  people,  whom  they  ought  rather  to  pity  than  to 
destroy;  and  recommended  them  to  d-i.vyie  themselves 
more  to  the  chase  than  they  had  done  in  times  past,  and 
less  to  the  prosecution  of  war  in  time  to  come. 

All  this,  and  a  great  deal  more,  did  Charley  say,  in  a 
manner,  and  with  a  rapidity  of  utterance,  that  surprised 
himself,  when  he  considered  the  fact  that  he  had  never 
adventured  into  the  field  of  public  speaking  before.  All 
this,  and  a  g^eat  deal  more  —  a  very  great  deal  more  — 
did  Jacques  Caradoc  interpret  to  the  admiring  Indians, 
who  listened  with  the  utmost  gravity  and  profound  at- 
tention, greeting  the  close  with  a  very  emphatic  "  Ho ! " 

Jacques'  translation  was  by  no  means  perfect.  Many 
of  the  flights  into  which  Charley  ventured,  especially  in 
regard  to  the  manners  and  customs  of  the  savages  of  an- 


liiifi 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


205 


cient  Greece  and  Rome,  were  quite  incomprehensible  to 
the  worthy  backwoodsman,  -  but  he  invariably  proceeded 
when  Charley  halted,  giving  a  flight  of  his  own  when  at 
a  loss,  varying  and  modifying  when  he  thought  it  advisa- 
ble,  and  altering,  adding,  or  cutting  off  as  he  pleased. 

Several  other  chiefs  addressed  the  assembly,  and  then 
dinner,  if  we  may  so  call  it,  was  served.  In  Charley's 
case,  it  was  breakfast.  To  the  Indians,  it  was  breakfast, 
dmner,  and  supper  in  one.  It  consisted  of  a  large  plat- 
ter  of  dried  meat,  reindeer  tongues  (considered  a  great 
delicacy),  and  marrow-bones. 

Notwithstanding  the  graphic  power  with  which  Jacques 
had  prepared  his  young  companion  for  this  meal,  Char- 
ley's heart  sank  when  he  beheld  the  mountain  of  boiled 
meat  that  was  placed  before  him.  He  was  ravenously 
hungry,  it  is  true,  but  it  was  patent  to  his  perception  at  a 
glance,  that  no  powers  of  gormandizing  of  which  he  was 
capable  could  enable  him  to  consume  the  mass  in  the 
course  of  one  day. 

Jacques  observed  his  consternation,  and  was  not  a  lit- 
tie  entertained  by  it,  although  his  face  wore  an  expres- 
sion of  profound  gravity,  while  he  proceeded  to  attack 
his  own  dish,  which  was  equal  to  that  of  his  friend. 

Before  commencing,  a  small  portion  of  meat  was 
thrown  into  the  fire,  as  a  sacrifice  to  the  Great  Master  of 
Life. 

"  How  they  do  eat,  to  be  sure  ! "  whispered  Charley  to 
Jacques,  after  he  had  glanced  in  wonder  at  the  circle  of 
men  who  were  devouring  their  food  with  the  most  ex- 
traordinary rapidity. 

"  Why,  you  must  know,"  replied  Jacques,  « that  it's 
considered  a  point  of  honor  to  get  it  over  soon,  and  the 
WM  man    that    ia    Ar^^^   c j.    --i.  ^.        


206 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


work,"  (he  sighed  and  paused  a  little  to  breathe,)  "  and 
I've  not  got  half  through  yet." 

"  It's  quite  plain  that  I  must  lose  credit  with  them, 
then,  if  it  depends  on  my  eating  that.  Tell  me,  Jacques, 
is  there  no  way  of  escape  ?  Must  I  sit  here  till  it  is  all 
consumed  ?  " 

"No  doubt  of  it.  Every  bit  that  has  been  cooked 
must  be  crammed  down  our  throats  somehow  or  other." 

Charley  heaved  a  deep  sigh,  and  made  another  des- 
perate attack  on  a  large  steak,  while  the  Indians  around 
him  made  considerable  progress  in  reducing  their  respec- 
tive mountains. 

Several  times  Charley  and  Redfeather  exchanged 
glances  as  they  paused  in  their  labors. 

"  I  say,  Jacques,"  said  Charley,  pulling  up  once  more, 
"  how  do  you  get  on  ?  Pretty  well  stuffed  by  this  time, 
I  should  imagine  ?  " 

"  Oh,  no  I    I've  a  good  deal  o'  room  yet." 

"  I  give  in.  Credit  or  disgrace,  it's  all  one.  I'll  not 
make  a  pig  of  myself  for  any  redskin  in  the  land." 

Jacques  smiled. 

"  See,"  continued  Charley,  '*  there's  a  fellow  opposite 
who  has  devoured  as  much  as  would  have  served  me  for 
three  days.  I  don't  know  whether  it's  imagination  or 
not,  but  I  do  verily  believe  that  he's  Uacker  in  the  face 
than  when  he  sat  down  ! " 

"  Very  likely,"  replied  Jacques,  wiping  his  lipss ;  *  new 
I've  done." 

"Done?  you  have  left  at  least  a  third  of  your  supply." 

"  True,  and  I  may  as  well  tell  you  for  your  comfort, 
that  there  is  one  way  of  escape  open  to  you.  It  is  a 
custou>  B\ai>ng  *hese  fellows,  that  when  any  one  cannot 
gulp  hk,  i  L-XLt  o'  the  prog,  he  may  get  help  from  any  of 


«     FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH.  207 

hi-  friends  who  can  cram  it  down  their  throats ;  and  as 
there  are  always  sucli  fellowH  among  these  Injins,  they 
seldom  have  any  difficulty."  ^ 

"A  most  convenient  practice,"  replied  Charley  •  «  V\\ 
adopt  it  at  once."  j  .     * « 

Chadey  turned  to  his  next  neighbor  with  the  intent  to 
beg  ot  him  to  eat  his  remnant  of  the  feast. 

"  Bless  my  heart,  Jacques,  I've  no  chance  with  the  fel- 
low  on  my  left  hand;  he's  stuffed  quite  full  already,  and 
w  not  quite  done  with  his  own  share." 

"Never  fear,"  replied  his  friend,  looking  at  the  indi- 
vidual  m  question,  who  was  languidly  lifting  a  marrow- 
bone  to  his  lips,  "he'll  do  it  easy,  I  knows  the  gauge  o' 
them  chaps  and,  for  all  his  sleepy  look  just  now,  he's 
game  for  a  lot  more." 

;  Inipossible,"  replied  Charley,  looking  in  despair  at 
his  unfinished  viands  and  then  at  the  Indian.  A  glance 
round  the  circle  seemed  further  to  convince  him  that  if 
he  did  not  eat  it  himself,  there  were  none  of  the  partir 
likely  to  do  so.  ^     ^ 

"You'll  have  to  give  him  a  good  lump  o'  tobacco  to  do 
It,  though ;  he  won't  undertake  so  much  for  a  trifle  I  can 
tell  you."  Jaques  chuckled  as  he  said  this,  and  handed 
his  own  portion  over  to  another  Indian,  who  readily  un- 
dertook to  finish  it  for  him. 

"  He'll  burst ;    I  feel   certain   of  that,"  said   Char- 
ey,  with  a  deep  sigh,  as  he  surveyed  his  friend  on  the 
left. 

At  last  he  took  courage  to  propose  the  thing  to  him, 
and,  just  as  the  man  finished  the  last  morsel  of  his  own 
repast,  Charley  placed  his  own  plate  before  him,  with  a 
look  that  seemed  to  say,  «  Eat  it,  my  friend,  if  you  can." 

ine  Indtnn.  mnnii  tn  v.:^,  f__    •  -,..., 

,  ....,..,„  ,„  ,„-,  auipriKu,  imraeaiateiy  com- 


)k' 


ill I 


208 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


menced  devouring  it,  and  in  less  t)  an  half  an  hour  the 
whole  was  disposed  of. 

During  this  scene  of  gluttony,  one  of  the  chiefs  enter- 
tained the  assembly  with  a  wild  and  most  unmusical 
chant,  to  which  he  beat  time  on  a  sort  of  tambourine, 
while  the  women  outside  of  the  enclosure  beat  a  similar 
accompanii^ent. 

"I  say,  master,"  whispered  Jacquef  "  it  seems  to  my 
obsf^rvation  that  the  fellow  you  called  Kedfeather  eats 
less  than  any  Injin  I  ever  saw.  He  has  got  a  comrade 
to  eat  more  than  half  of  his  share :  now  that's  strange." 

"  It  won't  appear  strange,  Jacques,  when  I  tell  you 
that  Redfeather  has  lived  much  more  among  white  men 
than  Indians  during  the  last  ten  years,  and  although  voya- 
geurs  eat  an  enormous  quantity  of  food,  they  don't  make 
it  a  point  of  honor,  as  these  fellows  seem  to  do,  to  eat 
much  more  than  enough.  Besides,  Redfeather  is  a  very 
different  man  from  those  around  him ;  he  has  been  par- 
tially educated  by  the  missionaries  on  Play  green  Lake, 
and  I  think  has  a  strong  leaning  towards  them." 

While  they  were  thus  conversing  in  whispers,  Red- 
feather rose,  and,  holding  forth  his  hand,  delivered  him- 
self of  the  following  oratioa  :  — 

"  The  time  has  come  for  Redfeather  to  speak.  He 
has  kept  silence  for  many  moons  now ;  but  his  heart  has 
been  full  of  words.  It  is  too  full.  He  must  speak  now. 
Redfeather  has  fought  with  his  tribe  and  has  been  ac- 
counted a  brave,  and  one  who  loves  his  people.  This 
is  true.  He  does  love,  even  more  than  they  can  under- 
stand. His  friends  know  that  he  has  never  feared  to 
face  danger  or  death  in  their  defence,  and  that,  if  it  were 
necessary,  he  would  do  so  still.  But  Redfeather  is  going 
to  leave  his  people  now.      His  heart  is  heavy  at  the 


PROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


rw 


209 


thought.  Perhaps  many  moons  will  come  and  go,  many 
»nows  may  fal  and  meit  away  before  he  sees  Ws  peopll 
again  ;  and  .t  .s  th,s  that  makes  him  full  of  sorrow ;  it  is 
th,s  that  makes  hi,  head  to  droop  like  the  branches  of  the 
weeping  willow." 

Redfeather  paused  at  this  point,  but  not  a  sound  es- 
caped from  the  hstening  circle:  the  Indians  were  evi- 
dently taken  by  surprise  at  this  abrupt  announcement, 
lie  proceeded  :  — 

"When  Hedfeather  travelled  not  long  since  with  the 
wh,te  men,  he  met  with  a  pale-face,  who  came  fmm  the 
other  s,de  of  the  Great  Salt  Lake  towards  the  rising  sun! 
Th,s  man  was  called  by  some  of  the  people  a  missionary. 
He  spoke  wonderful  words  in  the  e.rs  of  Redfeather. 

d^d   o^W        w"^' '''"•"  '""^"^^  Spirit  which  he 
d,d  not  know  before,  and  he  asked  Redfeather  to  go  and 

help  h,m  to  speak  to  the  Indians  about  these  strange 

thmgs.     Ro^feather  would  not  go.     He  loved  his  people 

00  much  and  he  thought  that  the  words  of  the  missionary 
seemed  fool.shness.     But  he  has  thought  much  about  i^ 
smce.    He  does  not  understand  the  stmnge  things  that 
were  old  to  him,  and  he  has  tried  to  forget  them,1,ut  he 
cannot     He  can  get  no  rest.     He  hears  strange  sounds 
.»  the  breeze  that  shakes  the  pine.     He  thinks  that  there 
are  voices  m  the  waterfall;  the  rivers  seem  ,o  speak. 
Eedfealher  s  spirit  is  vexed.     The  Great  Spirit,  perhaps, 
.s  alkmg  to  him.     He  ha,  resolved  to  go  to'the  dwelling 
ot  the  missionary  and  stay  with  him." 

The  Indian  paused  again,  but  still  no  sound  escaped 
rom  his  comrades.     Dropping  his  voice  to  a  soft  pla^o.. 
tive  tone,  he  continued  —  ^ 

"  But  Redfeathfir  Invoo  liJc  u:„4__j      xy     <    . 
1     .  '" •••  !"o   xviiiuruu.      lie  (leairp'5  vprir 

-eh  that  they  should  hear  the  things  that  the  muL:j 


210 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


'  i  ■ 


'•! 


said.  He  spoke  of  the  happy  hunting  grounds  to  which 
the  spirits  of  our  fathers  have  gone,  and  said  that  we 
required  a  guide  to  lead  us  there ;  that  there  was  but  one 
guide,  whose  name,  he  said,  was  Jesus.  Redfeather 
would  stay  and  hunt  with  his  people,  but  his  spirit  is 
troubled ;  he  cannot  rest ;  he  must  go !  " 

Redfeather  sat  down,  and  a  long  silence  ensued.  His 
words  had  evidently  taken  the  whole  party  by  surprise, 
although  not  a  countenance  there  showed  the  smallest 
symptom  of  astonishment,  except  that  of  Charley  Ken- 
nedy, whose  intercourse  with  Indians  had  not  yet  been  so 
great  as  to  have  taught  him  to  conceal  his  feelings. 

At  length  the  old  chief  rose,  and,  after  complimenting 
Redfeather  on  his  bravery  in  general,  and  admitting  that 
he  had  shown  much  love  to  his  people  on  all  occasions, 
went  into  the  subject  of  his  quitting  them  at  some  length. 
He  reminded  him  that  there  were  evil  spirits  as  well  as 
good;  that  it  was  not  for  him  to  say  which  kind  had 
been  troubling  him,  but  that  he  ought  to  consider  well 
before  he  went  to  live  altogether  with  pale-faces.  Several 
other  speeches  were  made,  some  to  the  same  effect,  and 
others  applauding  his  resolve.  These  latter  had,  perhaps, 
some  idea  that  his  bringing  the  pale-faced  missionary 
among  them  would  gratify  their  taste  for  the  marvellous 
—  a  taste  that  is  pretty  strong  in  all  uneducated  minds. 

One  man,  however,  was  particularly  urgent  in  en- 
deavoring to  dissuade  him  from  his  purpose.  He  was 
a  tall,  low-browed  man ;  muscular  and  well  built,  but 
possessed  of  a  most  villanous  expression  of  countenance. 
From  a  remark  that  fell  from  one  of  the  company, 
Charley  discovered  that  his  name  was  Misconna,  and  so 
learned,  to  his  surprise,  that  he  was  the  very  Indian  men- 
tioned hy  Redfeather  as  the  man  who  had  been  his  rivai 


FROM  THE  FAR   NORTH.  gll 

for  the  hand  of  Wabisca,  and  who  had  so  cruelly  killed 
the  w,(e  of  the  p«,r  trapper  the  night  on  which  the  Chipe- 
wyan  camp  was  attacked,  and  the  people  slaughtered. 

to  Redfeather's  leaving  the  community  no  one  could  tflf 
although  some  of  those  who  knew  his  unforgiving  natuVe 
suspected  that  he  still  entertained  the  hope  ff  being  able 
someday  or  other,  to  wreak  his  vengeance' on  hisollriv^.' 
But  whatever  was  his  object,  he  failed  in  moving  Red- 
feat  ers  resolution;  and  it  was  at  last  admitted L  the 
.hole  party  tnat  Redfeather  was  a  "  wise  chief, "  thit  11 
knew  best  what   ought  to   be  done   under  th;  cire  m! 

iTwi"  th'e""  '""''  *''  "^  P'"""'^^-^  "^'''  -  -- 
mooL  """"""^'  """'^  °°'  ^'  ^'^y<^  '^"7 

That  night,  in  the  deep  shadow  of  the  trees,  by  the 
brook  that  murmured  near  the  Indian  camp,  while  the 
stars  twinkled  through  the  branches  overheadrC  arley 
.n  rodueed  Redfeather  to  his  friend  Jacques  Car;doc!and 
a  nendsh,p  was  struck  up  between  the  bold  hunter  and 
the  red-man,  that  grew  and  strengthened  as  each  su<; 
cessive  day  made  them  acquainted  with  their  respective 
goodquabties     In  the  same  place,  and  with  the  si 

r!^^  Tk  ^"^.  '""'  "P""  ""=■"' ''  ™'  father  agreed  that 
Eedfeather  should  accompany  his  new  friends,  faking  his 
"rfe  along  with  him  in  another  eanoe,  as  f;r  as  fhe 
several  routes  led  them  in  the  same  direction,  which  wal 
about  four  „r  five  days'  journey;  and  that  while  the  one 

should  pursue  its  course  to  the  missionary  station  on  the 
shores  of  Lake  Winnipeg.  on  on  the 

But  there  was  a  snake  in  th^  »-„„  .i.^_.   .,    .    . 
i;,.i„  ,  "   —  '  "-'  6'"=3   mere  tnat  tiiev 

".ttle  suspected.    Misconna  had  crept  thi^ugh  the  bulhls 


212 


SNOWFLAKES   AND   SUNBEAMS 


after  them,  with  a  degree  of  caution  that  might  liave 
baffled  their  vigilance,  even  had  they  suspected  treason  in 
a  friendly  camp.  He  lay  listening  intently  to  all  their 
plans,  and  when  they  returned  to  their  camp,  he  rose  out 
from  among  the  bushes,  like  a  dark  spirit  of  evil,  clutched 
the  handle  of  his  scalping-knife,  and  gave  utterance  to  a 
malicious  growl ;  then,  walking  hastily  after  them,  his 
dusky  figure  was  soon  concealed  among  the  trees. 


IE 
^iipi  iiiiii  III '  t 


'it 


U   ,>.|nCZlli{!ll!iWilMIII'i<H 

:!''  ill 
h  11 


I     III 


1      I    1 


ili,i,'"i  m 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


213 


CHAPTER   XVI. 

THE    RETURN;  NARRO^V  ESCAPE;  A  MURDEROUS  ATTEMPT.  WHICH 
FAILS;    AND  A  DISCOVERY. 

A  LL  nature  was  joyous  and  brilliant,  and  bright  and 
-tX.  beautiful.     Morning  was  still  very  young  —  about 
•    an  hour  old.     Sounds  of  the  most  cheerful  light-hearted 
character  floated  over  the  waters  and  echoed  through  the 
woods,  as  birds  and  beasts  hurried  to  and  fro  with  all  the 
bustling  energy  that  betokened  preparation  and  search  for 
breakfast.     Fish  leaped  in  the  pools  with  a  rapidity  that 
brought  forcibly  to  mind  that  wise  saying,  « The  more 
hurry,  the  less  speed,"  for  they  appeared  constantly  to 
miss  their  mark,  although  they  jumped  twice  their  own 
length  out  of  the  water  in  the  effort. 

Ducks  and  geese  sprang  from  their  liquid  beds  with 
an  amazmg  amount  of  unnecessary  splutter,  as  if  they 
had  awakened  to  the  sudden  consciousness  of  being  late 
for  breakfast,  then  alighted  in  the  water  again  with  a 
sqimh,  on  finding  (probably)  that  it  was  too  early  for 
that  meal,  but,  observing  other  flocks  passing  and  repass- 
ing on  noisy  wing,  took  to  flight  again,  unable  apparently 
to  restrain  their  feelings  of  delight  at  the  freshness  of  the 
morning  air,  the  brightness  of  the  rising  sun,  and  the 
sweet  perfume  of  the  dewy  verdure,  as  the  mists  cleared 
away  over  the  tree-tops  and  lost  themselves  in  the  blue 
sky.     Everything  seemed  instinct  not  only  with  life,  bat 
with  a  large  amount  of  superabundant  energy.     Ear"th, 


214 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


'lift  I,  iiHHit ,  , 

ll    !  I'll! 


air,  sky,  animal,  vegetable  and  mineral,  solid  and  liquid,  all 
were  either  actually  in  a  state  of  lively  exulting  motion, 
or  had  a  peculiarly  sprightly  look  about  them,  as  if  nature 
had  jub^  burst  out  of  prison  en  massey  and  gone  raving 
mad  with  joy. 

Such  was  the  delectable  state  of  things  the  morning  on 
which  two  canoes  darted  from  the  camp  of  the  Kniste- 
neux,  amid  many  expressions  of  good-will.  One  canoe 
contained  our  two  friends,  Charley  and  Jacques ;  the  other 
Redfeather  and  his  wife  Wabisca. 

A  few  strokes  of  the  paddle  shot  them  out  into  the 
stream,  which  carried  them  rapidly  away  from  the  scene 
of  their  late  festivities.  In  five  minutes  they  swept  round 
a  point,  which  shut  them  out  from  view,  and  they  were 
swiftly  descending  those  rapid  rivers  that  had  cost  Char- 
ley and  Jacques  so  much  labor  to  ascend. 

"  Look  out  for  rocks  ahead,  Mister  Charles,"  cried  Jac- 
ques, as  he  steered  the  light  bark  into  the  middle  of  a 
rapid,  which  they  had  avoided  when  ascending,  by  mak- 
ing a  portage.  "  Keep  well  to  the  left  o'  yon  swirl.  Par- 
bleu,  if  we  touch  the  rock  there,  it'll  be  all  over  with  us." 

"  All  right,"  was  Charley's  laconic  reply.  And  so  it 
proved,  for  their  canoe,  after  getting  fairly  into  the  run 
of  the  rapid,  was  evidently  under  the  complete  command 
of  its  expert  crew,  and  darted  forward  amid  the  foaming 
waters,  like  a  thing  instinct  with  life.  Now  it  careered 
and  plunged  over  the  waves,  where  the  rough  bed  of  the 
stream  made  them  more  than  usually  turbulent.  Anon 
it  flew  with  increased  rapidity  through  a  narrow  gap 
where  the  compressed  water  was  smooth  and  black,  but 
deep  and  powerful,  rendering  great  care  necessary  to 
prevent  the  canoe's  frail  sides  from  being  dashed  on  the 
rocks.   Then  it  met  a  curling  wave,  into  which  it  plunged 


!    ' 


FROM  THE  FAB  NORTH. 


215 


like  an  impetuous  charger,  and  was  checked  for  a  mo- 
ment by  its  own  violence.  .  Presently  an  eddy  threw  the 
canoe  a  little  out  of  its  course,  disconcerting  Charley's 
intention  of  shaving  a  rock  which  lay  in  their  track,  so 
that  he  slightly  grazed  it  in  passing. 

"  Ah,  Mister  Charles,"  said  Jacques,  shaking  his  head, 
« that  was  not  well  done  ;  an  inch  more  would  have  sent 
us  down  the  rapids  like  drowned  cats." 

"  True,"  replied  Charley,  somewhat  crestfallen,  «  but 
you  see  the  other  inch  was  not  lost,  so  we're  not  much 
the  worse  for  it." 

"  Well,  after  all,  it  was  a  ticklish  bit,  and  I  should 
have  guessed  that  your  experience  was  not  up  to  it  quite. 
I've  seen  many  a  man  in  my  day  who  wouldn't  ha'  done 
it  halfso  slick,  an'  yet  ha'  thought  no  small  beer  of  him- 
self; so  you  needn't  be  ashamed.  Mister  Charles.  But 
Wabisca  beats  you  for  all  that,"  continued  the  hunter, 
glancing  hastily  over  his  shoulder  at  Redfeather,  who  fol- 
lowed closely  in  their  wake,  he  and  his  modest-looking 
wife  guiding  their  little  craft  through  the  dangerous  pas- 
sage with  the  utmost  sang  froid  and  precision. 

"  We've  about  run  them  all  now,"  said  Jacques,  as 
they  paddled  over  a  sheet  of  still  water  which  inter- 
vened between  the  rapid  they  had  just  descended  and 
another  which  thundered  about  a  hundred  yards  in  ad- 
vance. 

"  1  was  so  engrossed  with  the  one  we  have  just  come 
down,"  said  Charley,  « that  I  quite  forgot  this  one." 

"  Quite  right.  Mister  Charles,"  said  Jacques,  in  an  ap- 
proving tone ;  «  quite  right.  I  holds  that  a  man  should 
always  attend  to  what  he's  at,  an'  to  nothin'  else.  I've 
lived  long  in  the  woods  now,  and  that  fact  becomes  more 
and  more  sartin  every  day.     I've  know'd  chaps,  now,  as 


216 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


timersome  as  settlement  girls,  that  were  always  in  such 
a  mortal  funk  about  what  was  to  happen,  or  might  hap- 
pen, that  they  were  never  fit  for  anything  that  did  hap- 
pen ;  always  lookin'  ahead  and  never  around  them.     Of 
coorse,  I  don't  mean  that  a  man  shouldn't  look  ahead  at 
all,  but  their  great  mistake  was,  that  they  looked  out  too 
far  ahead,  and  always  kep'  their  eyes  nailed  there,  just  as 
if  they  had  the  fixin'  o'  everything,  an'  Providence  had 
nothin'  to  do  with  it  at  all.     I  mind  a  Canadian  o'  that 
sort  that  travelled  in  company  with  me  once.     We  were 
goin'  Just  as  we  are  now.  Mister  Charles,  two  canoes  of 
us ;  him  and  a  comrade  in  one,  and  me  and  a  comrade  in 
t'other.     One  night  we  got  to  a  lot  o'  rapids,  that  came 
one  after  another  for  the  matter  o'  three  miles  or  there- 
abouts.    They  were  all  easy  ones,  however,  except  the 
last,  but  it  was  a  tickler,  with  a  sharp  turn  o'  the  land 
that  hid  it  from   sight  till  ye  were  right  into  it,  with  a 
foamin'  current,  and  a  range  o'  ragged  rocks  that  stood 
straight  in  front  o'  ye,  like  the  teeth  of  a  cross-cut  saw. 
It  was  easy  enough,  however,  if  a  man  knew  it,  and  was 
a  cool  hand.   Well,  the  pauvre  Canadian  was  in  a  terrible 
takin'  about  this  shoot,  long  afore  he  came  to  it.     He 
had  run  it  often  enough  in  boats  where  he  was  one  of  a 
half-dozen  men,  and  had  nothin'  to  do  but  look  on ;  but 
he  had  never  steered  down  it  before.     When  he  came  to 
the  top  o'  the  rapids,  his  mind  was  so  filled  with  this 
shoot,  that  he  couldn't  attend  to  nothin' ;  and  scraped 
agin'  a  dozen  rocks  in  almost  smooth  water,  so  that  when 
he  got  little  more  than  half  way  down,  the  canoe  was  as 
ricketty  as  if  it  had  just  come  off  a  six  month's  cruise.  At 
last  we  came  to  the  big  rapid,  and  after  we'd  run  down 
our  canoe,  I  climbed  the  bank  to  see  them  do  it.     Down 
they  came,  the  poor  Canadian  white  as  a  sheet,  and  his 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


217 


comrade  who  was  brave  enough,  but  knew  nothin'  about 
light  craft,  not  very  comfortable.      At  first  he  could  see 
nothin'  for  the    point,    but,  in   another   moment,  round 
they  went,  end  on,  for   the   big  rocks.     The  Canadian 
gave  a  great  yell  when    he  saw  them,  and  plunged  at 
the  paddle  till  I  thought  he'd  have  capsized  altogether. 
They  ran  it  well  enough,   straight  between   the  rocks 
(more  by  good  luck  than  good  guidance),  and  sloped 
down  to  the  smooth  water  below,  but  the  canoe  had  got 
such  a  battering  in  the  rapids  above,  where  an  Injin  baby 
could  have  steered  it  in  safety,  that  the  last  plunge  shook 
It  all  to  pieces.     It  opened  up,  and  lay  down  flat  on  the 
water,  while  the  two  men  fell  right  through  the  bottom, 
screechm  like  mad,  and  rolling  about  among  shreds  o' 
birch-bark ! " 

While  Jacques  was  thus  descanting  philosophically  on 
his  experiences  in  time  past,  they  had  approached  the 
head  of  the  second  rapid,  and,  in  accordance  with  the 
principles  just  enunciated,  the  stout  backwoodsman  gave 
his  undivided  attention  to  the  work  before  him.  The 
rapid  was  short  and  deep,  so  that  little  care  was  required 
in  descending  it,  excepting  atone  point,  where  the  stream 
impetuously  between  two  rocks  about  six  yards 
•y  Here  U  was  requisite  to  keep  the  canoe  as  much 

m  I         ,aule  of  the  stream  as  possible. 

Just  as  they  began  to  feel  the  drag  of  the  water, 
Redfeather  was  heard  to  shout  in  a  loud  warning  tone, 

hnrriedT''"^  '^''^"''  ^"^  ^^^'^"^  *^  ^^'^  ^^^^^  Peddles 

"What  can  the  Injin  mean,  I  wonder?"  said  Jac- 
ques, in  a  perplexed  tone.  «  He  don  t  look  like  a  man 
that  would    stop  us  at   the  top  of   a  strong   rapid   for 


uv 


,,^ 


218 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


I  I ' 


Klil.'l 


"  It's  too  late  to  do  that  now,  whatever  is  his  reason," 
said  Charley,  as  he  and  bis  companion  struggled  in  vain 
to  paddle  up  streanr. 

"  It's  o'  no  use.  Mister  Charles,  we  must  run  it  now ;  the 
current's  too  strong  to  make  head  against ;  besides,  I  do 
think  the  man  has  only  seen  a  bear,  or  somethin*  o'  that 
sort,  for  I  see  he's  ashore,  and  jumpin*  among  the  bushes 
like  a  cariboo." 

Saying  this,  they  turned  the  canoe's  head  down  stream 
again,  and  allowed  it  to  drift,  merely  retarding  its  pro- 
gress a  little  with  the  paddles. 

Suddenly  Jacques  uttered  a  sharp  exclamation.  "  Mon 
JDieu  !  "  said  he,  "  it's  plain  enough  now.     Look  there  ! " 

Jacques  pointed  as  he  spoke  to  the  narrows  to  which 
they  were  now  approaching  with  tremendous  speed,  which 
increased  every  instant.  A  heavy  tree  lay  directly  across 
the  stream,  reaching  from  rock  to  rock,  and  placed  in 
such  a  way  that  it  was  impossible  for  a  canoe  to  de- 
scend without  being  dashed  in  pieces  against  it.  This 
was  the  more  curious,  that  no  trees  grew  in  the  immedi- 
ate vicinity,  so  that  this  one  must  have  been  designedly 
conveyed  there. 

"  There  has  been  foul  work  here,"  said  Jacques  in  a 
deep  tone.  "  We  must  dive.  Mister  Charles  ;  there's  no 
chance  any  way  else,  and  thafs  but  a  poor  one." 

This  was  true.  The  rocks  on  each  side  rose  almost 
perpendicularly  out  of  the  water,  so  that  it  was  utterly 
impossible  to  run  ashore,  and  the  only  way  of  escape,  as 
Jacques  said,  was  by  diving  under  the  tree,  a  thing  in- 
volving great  risk,  as  the  stream  immediately  below 
was  broken  by  rocks,  against  which  it  dashed  in  foam, 
and  through  which  the  chances  of  steering  one's  way  in 

i^^der  indeed. 


su 


r„i—  1 


lUCUUB 


Ox  swiuxmi 


B> 


W  Cl  C     T  ex 


oxcxxuvj: 


FBOM  THE  ¥AIL  NORTH. 


219 


Charley  made  no  reply,  but,  with  tightly  compressed 
lips,  and  a  look  of  stern  resolution  on  his  brow,  threw 
off  his  coat,  and  hastily  tied  his  belt  tightly  round  his 
waist.  The  canoe  was  now  sweeping  forward  with 
lightning  speed.  In  a  few  minutes  it  would  be  dashed 
to  pieces. 

At  that  moment  a  shout  was  heard  in  the  woods,  and 
Redfeather  darting  out,  rushed  over  the  ledge  of  rock  on 
which  one  end  of  the  tr^e  rested,  seized  the  trunk  in  his 
arms,  and  exerting  aU  ni.  strength,  hurled  it  over  into 
the  river.     In  doing  so  he  stumbled,  and,  ere  he  could 
recover  himself,  a  branch  caught  him  under  the  arm  as 
the   tree   fell  over,  and   dragged    him  into  the  boiling 
stream.     This  accident  was  probably  the  means  of  saving 
his  hfe,  for,  just  as  he  fell,  the  loud  report  of  a  gun  rang 
through  the  woods,  and  a  buUet  passed  through  his  can. 
l^or  a  second  or  two  both  man  and  tree  were  lost  in  the 
loam,  while  the  canoe  dashed  past  in  safety.    The  next 
mstant  Wabisca  passed  the  narrows  in  her  small  craft 
and  steered  for  the  tree.    Redfeather,  who  had  risen  and 
sank  several  times,  saw  her  as  she  passed,  and,  making  a 
violent  effort,  he  caught  hold  of  the  gunwale,  and  was 
carried  down  in  safety. 

"I'll  tell  yov  what  it  is,"  said  Jacques,  as  the  party 

stood  on  a  rock  promontory  after  the  events  just  narrated, 

I  would  give  a  dollar  to  have  that  fellow's  nose  and 

the  sights  o'  my  rifle  in  a  line  at  any  distance  short  of  two 

hundred  yards." 

"It  was  Misconna,"  said  Redfeather.  '*!  did  not  see 
mm  but  there's  not  another  man  in  the  tribe  that  could 
do  that." 

"  I'm  thankful  we  escaped,  Jacques.  I  never  felt  so 
near  death  before,  and  had  it  not  been  for  the  timely  aid 


220 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


of  our  friend  here,  it  strikes  me  that  our  wild  life  would 
have  come  to  an  abrupt  close.  God  bless  you,  Red- 
feather,"  said  Charley,  taking  the  Indian's  hand  in  both 
of  his  and  kissing  it. 

Charley's  ebullition  of  feeling  was  natural.  lie  had 
not  yet  become  used  to  the  dangers  of  the  wilderness 
so  as  to  treat  them  with  indifference.  Jacques,  on  the 
other  hand,  had  risked  his  life  so  often,  that  escape  from 
danger  was  treated  very  much  as  a  matter  of  course, 
and  called  forth  little  expression  of  feeling.  Still,  it 
must  not  be  inferred  from  this  that  his  nature  had  be- 
come callous.  The  backwoodsman's  frame  was  hard 
and  unyielding  as  iron,  but  his  heart  was  as  soft  still  as 
it  was  on  the  day  on  which  he  first  donned  the  hunting- 
shirt  ;  and  there  was  much  more  of  tenderness  than  met 
the  eye  in  the  squeeze  that  he  gave  Redfeather's  hand  on 
landing. 

Ac-  the  four  travellers  encircled  the  fire  that  night,  un- 
der the  leafy  branches  of  the  forest,  and  smoked  the-'r 
pipes  in  concert,  while  Wabisca  busied  herself  in  clearing 
away  the  remnants  of  their  evening  meal,  they  waxed 
communicative,  and  stories,  pathetic,  comic,  and  tragic, 
followed  each  other  in  rapid  succession. 

"  Now,  Redfeather,"  said  Charley,  while  Jacques  rose 
and  went  down  to  the  luggage  to  get  more  tobacco,  "  tell 
Jacques  about  the  way  in  which  you  got  your  name.  I 
am  sure  he  will  feel  deeply  interested  in  that  story,  — 
at  least  I  am  certain  that  Harry  Somerville  and  I  did 
when  you  told  it  to  us  the  day  we  were  wind-bound  on 
Lake  Winnipeg." 

Redfeather  made  no  reply  for  a  few  seconds.  "  Will 
Mister  Charles  speak  for  me  ?  "  he  said,  at  length  ;  "  his 
tongue  is  smooth  and  quick." 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


221 


"A  doubtful  kind  of  compliment,"  said  Charley, 
laughing;  "but  I  will,  if  you  don't  wish  to  tell  it  your- 
self.'* ^ 

"And  don't  mention  names.  Do  not  let  him  know 
that  you  speak  of  me  or  my  friends,"  said  the  Indian,  in 
a  low  whisper,  as  Jacques  returned  and  sat  down  by  the 
fire  again. 

Charley  gave  him  a  glance  of  surprise  ;  but,  being 
prevented  from  asking  questions,  he  nodded  in  reply, 
and  proceeded  to  relate  to  his  friend  the  story  that  has 
been  recounted  in  a  previous  chapter.  Redfeather  leaned 
back  against  a  tree,  and  appeared  to  listen  intently. 

Charley's  powers  of  description  were  by  no  means  in- 
considerable, and  the  backwoodsman's   face   assumed  a 
look  of  good-humored  attention  as  the  story  proceeded. 
But  when  the  narrator  went  on  to  tell  of  the  meditated 
attack,  and  the  midnight  march,  his  interest  was  aroused, 
the  pipe  which  he  had  been  smoking  was  allowed  to  go 
out,  and  he  gazed  at  his  young  friend  with  the  most 
earnest  attention.     It  was  evident  that  the  hunter's  spirit 
entered  with  deep  sympathy  into  such  scenes  ;'  and,  when 
Charley  described  the  attack,  and  the  death  of  the  trap- 
per's wife,  Jacques  seemed  unable  to  restrain  his  feelings. 
He  leaned  his  elbows  on  his  knees,  buried  his  face  in  his 
hands,  and  groaned  aloud. 

"Mister  Charles,"  he  said,  in  a  deep  voice,  when  the 
story  was  ended,  « there  are  two  men  I  would  like  to  meet 
with  in  this  world  before  I  die.  One  is  the  young  Injin 
who  tried  to  save  that  girl's  life,  the  other  is  the  cowardly 
villain  that  took  it.  I  don't  mean  the  one  who  finished 
the  bloody  work,  —  my  rifle  sent  his  accursed  spirit  to 
its  own  place " 

''Tour  rifle  !  "  cried  Charley,  in  amazement. 


ii9 

^1 


222 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


mm^ 


"Ay,  mine  I  It  was  my  wife  who  was  butchered  by 
these  savage  dogs  on  that  dark  night.  Oh  !  what  avails 
the  strength  o'  that  right  arm  ! "  said  Jacques,  bitterly, 
as  he  lifted  up  his  clenched  fist ;  "  it  was  powerless  to 
save  her  —  the  sweet  girl  who  left  her  home  and  people 
to  follow  me,  a  rough  hunter,  through  the  lonesome 
wilderness ! " 

He  covered  his  face  again,  and  groaned  in  agony  of 
spirit,  while  his  whole  frame  quivered  with  emotion. 

Jacques  remained  silent ;  and  his  sympathizing  friends 
refrained  from  intruding  on  a  sorrow  which  they  felt  they 
had  no  power  to  relieve. 

At  length  he  spoke.  "  Yes,"  said  he ;  "I  would  give 
much  to  meet  with  the  man  who  tried  to  save  her.  I  saw 
him  do  it  twice  ;  but  the  devils  about  him  were  too  eager 
to  be  baulked  of  their  prey." 

Charley  and  the  Indian  exchanged  glances.  "That 
Indian's  name,"  said  the  former,  "  was  Redfeather  !  " 

"  What ! "  exclaimed  the  trapper,  jumping  to  his  feet, 
and,  grasping  Redfeather,  who  had  also  risen,  by  the  two 
shoulders,  stared  wildly  into  his  face,  "  was  it  you  that 
did  it?" 

Redfeather  smiled,  and  held  out  his  hand,  which  the 
other  took  and  wrung  with  an  energy  that  would  have 
extorted  a  cry  of  pain  from  any  one  but  an  Indian. 
Then,  dropping  it  suddenly,  and  clenching  his  hands,  he 
exclaimed  — 

"  I  said  that  I  would  like  to  meet  the  villain  who  killed 
her  —  yes,  I  said  it  in  passion,  when  your  words  had 
roused  all  my  old  feelings  again ;  but  I  am  thankful  — 
I  bless  God,  that  I  did  not  know  this  sooner  —  that  you 
did  not  tell  me  of  it  when  I  was  at  the  camp,  for  I 
verily  believe  that  I  would  not  only  have  fixed  him,  but 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


223 


half  the  warriors  o'  your  tribe  too,  before  they  had  set- 
tled me  !  " 

It  need  scarcely  be  added,  that  the  friendship  which 
already  subsisted  between  Jacques  and  Redfeather  was 
now  doubly  cemented ;  nor  will  it  create  surprise  when 
we  say  that  the  former,  in  the  fulness  of  his  heart,  and 
from  sheer  inability  to  find  adequate  outlets  for  the  ex- 
pression of  his  feelings,  offered  Redfeather  in  succession 
all  the  articles  of  value  he  possessed,  even  to  his  much- 
loved  rifle,  and  was  seriously  annoyed  at  their  not  being 
accepted.    At  last  he  finished  off  by  assuring  the  Indian 
that  he  might  look  out  for  him  soon  at  the  missionary 
settlement,  where  he  meant  to  stay  with  him  evermore 
m  the  capacity  of  hunter,  fisherman,  and  jack-of-all-trades 
to  the  whole  clan. 


1^1       i 


224 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


lii'! ' 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

THE  SCENE  CHANGES;  BACHELOR'S  HALL;  A  PRACTICAL  JOKE 
AND  ITS  CONSEQUENCES;  A  SNOW-SHOE  WALK  AT  NIGHT  IN  THE 
FOREST. 

LEAVING  Charley  to  pursue  his  adventurous  career 
among  the  Indians,  we  will  introduce  our  reader  to 
a  new  scene,  and  follow,  for  a  time,  the  fortunes  of  our 
friend  Harry  Somerville.  It  will  be  remembered  that 
we  left  him  laboring  under  severe  disappointment,  at 
the  idea  of  having  to  spend  a  year,  it  might  be  many 
years,  at  the  depot ;  and  being  condemned  to  the  desk, 
instead  of  realizing  his  fond  dreams  of  bear-hunting  and 
deer-stalking  in  the  woods  and  prairies. 

It  was  now  the  autumn  of  Harry's  second  year  at 
York  Fort.  This  period  of  the  year  happens  to  be  the 
busiest  at  the  depot,  in  consequence  of  the  preparation 
of  the  annual  accounts  for  transmission  to  England,  in 
the  solitary  ship  which  visits  this  lonely  spot  once  a  year; 
so  that  Harry  was  tied  to  his  desk  all  day  and  the  greater 
part  of  the  night  too,  till  his  spirits  fell  infinitely  below 
zero,  and  he  began  to  look  on  himself  as  the  most  miser- 
able of  mortals.  His  spirits  rose,  however,  with  amaz- 
ing rapidity,  after  the  ship  went  away,  and  the  "  young 
gentlemen,"  as  the  clerks  were  styled  en  masse,  were 
permitted  to  run  wild  in  the  swamps  and  woods  for  the 
three  weeks  succeeding  that  event.  During  this  glimpse 
of  sunshine  they  recruited  their  exhausted  frames,  by 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH.  225 

paddling  about  all  day  in  Indian  canoes,  or  wanderinrr 
through  the  marshes,  sleeping  at  nights  in  tents  or  under 
the  pine-trees,  and  spreading  dismay  among  the  feathered 
tnbes,   of  which   there  were   immense    numbers  of  all 
kinds.     After  this  they  returned  to  their  regular  work  at 
the  desk,  but,  as  this  was  not  so  severe  as  in  summer 
and  was   farther   lightened  by  Wednesdays  and  Satur' 
days  being  devoted  entirely  to  recreation,  Harry  began 
to  look  on  things  in  a  less  gloomy  aspect,  and  at  length 
regamed  his  wonted  cheerful  spirits. 

Autumn  passed  away.      The  ducks  and  geese   took 
their  departure  to  more  genial  climes.      The   swamps 
froze  up  an:  became  solid.     Snow  fell  in  great  abun- 
dance  covering  every  vestige  of  vegetable  nature,  ex- 
cept  the  dark  fir-trees  that  only  helped  to  render  the 
scenery  more  dreary,  and  winter  settled  down  upon  the 
land.     Withm  the  pickets  of  York  Fort,  the  thirty  or 
forty  souls  who  lived  there  were  actively  employed  in 
cutting  their  firewood  ;  putting  in  double  window-frames, 
to  keep  out  the  severe  cold;  cutting  tracks  in  the  snow 
from  one  house  to  another  ;  and  otherwise  preparing,  for 
a  winter  of  eight  months'  duration,  as  cold  as  thit  of 
Nova  Zembla,  and  in  the  course  of  which  the  only  new 
faces  they  had  any  chance  of  seeing  were  those  of  th^ 
women  who  conveyed  the  annual  winter  packet  of  let- 
ters  from  the  next  station.     Outside  of  the  fort  all  was  a 

nf iir''  .f^''""'''  ^^'  '^^-'^^ds  of  miles  around. 
Deathlike  stillness  and  solitude  reigned  everywhere,  ex- 
cept  when  a  covey  of  ptarmigan  whirred  like  large  snow- 
flakes  athwart  the  sky,  or  an  arctic  fox  prowled  stealthily 
through  the  woods  in  search  of  prey.  ^ 

As  if  in  onnosif inn  tn  t^.   o.i«„_,   ^-_  i    ,.« 
u^A^     .  .J  ' ','" '"^   "    o^^ora,  aiiu  silliness,  and  soli- 
tude outside,  the  interior  of  the  clerk's  house  presented  a 

15 


226 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


Striking  contiast  of  ruddy  warmth,  cheerful  sounds,  and 
bustling  activity. 

It  was  evening,  but,  although  the  sun  had  set,  there 
was  still  sufficient  daylight  to  render  candles  unnecessary, 
though  not  enough  to  prevent  a  bright  glare  from  the 
stove  in  the  centre  of  the  hall  taking  full  effect  in  the 
darkening  chamber,  and  making  it  glow  with  fiery  red. 
Harry  Somerville  sat  in  front,  and  full  in  the  blaze  of 
this  stove,  resting  after  the  labors  of  the  day ;  his  arms 
crossed  on  his  breast ;  his  head  a  little  to  one  side,  as  if 
in  deep  contemplation,  as  he  gazed  earnestly  into  the 
fire,  and  his  chair  tilted  on  its  hind  legs  so  as  to  balance 
with  such  nicety  that  a  feather's  weight  additional,  out- 
side its  centre  of  gravity,  would  have  upset  it.     He  had 
divested  himself  of  his  coat  —  a  practice  that  prevailed 
among  the  young  gentlemen  when  at  hmne,  as  being  free- 
and-easy  as  well   as   convenient.      The   doctor,  a  tall, 
broad-shouldered  man,  with  red  hair  and  whiskers,  paced 
the  room  sedately,  with  a  long  pipe  depending  from  his 
lips,  which  he  removed  occasionally  to  address  a  few  re- 
marks to  the  accountant,  a  stout  heavy  man  of    about 
thirty,  with  a  voice  like  a  Stentor,  eyes  sharp  and  active 
as  those  of  a  ferret,  and  a  tongue  that  moved  with  twice 
the  ordinary  amount  of  lingual  rapidity.     The  doctor's 
remarks   seemed   to   be    particularly  humorous,   if  one 
might  judge  from  the  peals  of  laughter  with  which  they 
were  received  by  the  accountant,   who  stood  with  his 
back  to  the  stove  .in  such  a  position  that  while  it  warmed 
him  from  his  heels  to  his  waist,  he  enjoyed  the  additional 
benefit  of  the  pipe  or  chimney,  which  rose  upwards,  par- 
allel with  his  spine  and,  taking  a  sudden  bend  near  the 
roof,  passed  over  his  head  —  thus  producing  a  genial  and 
equable  warmth  from  top  to  toe. 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


227 


«  Yes,"  said  the  doctor,  «I  left  him  hotly  following  up 
a  rabbit-track,  in  the  firm  belief  that  it  was  that  of  a  sil- 
ver fox." 

"And  did  you  not  undeceive  the  greenhorn?"  cried 
the  accountant,  with  another  shout  of  laughter. 

"Not  I,"  replied  the  doctor,  "I  merely  recommended 
him  to  keep  his  eye  on  the  sun,  lest  he  should  lose  his 
way,  and  hastened  home  ;  for  it  just  occurred  to  me  that 
I  had  forgotten  to  visit  Louis  Blanc,  who  cut  his  foot  with 
an  axe  yesterday,  and  whose  wound  required  redressing, 
so  I  left  the  poor  youth  to  learn  from  experience." 

"Pray,  who  did  you  leave  to  that  delightful  fate?" 
asked  Mr.  IVilson,  issuing  from  his  bedroom,  and  ap- 
proaching the  stove. 

Mr.  Wilson  was  a  middle-aged,  good-humored,  active 
man,  who  filled  the  onerous  offices  of  superintendent  of 
the  men,  trader  of  furs,  seller  of  goods  to  the  Indians, 
and  general  factotum. 

"Our  friend  Hamilton,"  answered  the  doctor,  in  reply 
to  his  question.  "  I  think  he  is,  without  exception,  the 
most  egregious  nincompoop  I  ever  saw.  Just  as  I  passed 
the  long  swamp  on  my  way  home,  I  met  him  crashing 
through  the  bushes  in  hot  pursuit  of  a  rabbit,  the  track 
of  which  he  mistook  for  a  fox.  Poor  fellow,  iie  had  been 
out  since  breakfast,  and  only  shot  a  brace  of  ptarmigan, 
although  they  are  as  thick  as  bees  and  quite  tame.  'But 
then,  do  you  see,'  said  he,  in  excuse,  '  I'm  so  very  short- 
sighted !  Would  you  believe  it,  I've  blown  fifteen  lumps 
ot  snow  to  atoms,  in  the  belief  that  they  were  ptarmi. 
gan ! '  and  then  he  rushed  off  again." 

"No  doubt,"  said  Mr.  Wilson,  smiling,  « the  lad  is  very 
green— but  he's  a  good  fellow  for  all  that." 
"I'll  answer  for  that,"  said  the  accountant;  "I  found 


228 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


him  over  at  the  men's  houses  this  morning  doing  your 
work  for  you,  doctor." 

"  How  so  ?  "  inquired  the  disciple  of  ^sculapius. 

"  Attending  to  your  wounded  man,  Louis  Blanc,  to  be 
sure ;  and  he  seemed  to  speak  to  him  as  wisely  as  if  he 
had  walked  the  hospitals,  and  regularly  passed  for  an 

M.  D." 

"  Indeed !"  said  the  doctor,  v  I'  \  mischievous  grin. 
"  Then  I  must  pay  him  off  for  .rfering  with  my  pa- 
tients.'* 

"  Ah,  doctor,  you're  too  fond  of  practical  jokes.  You 
never  let  slip  an  opportunity  of  '  paying  off'  your  friends 
for  something  or  other.  It's  a  bad  habit.  Practical 
jokes  are  very  bad  things — shockingly  bad,"  said  Mr. 
Wilson,  as  he  put  on  his  fur  cap,  and  wound  a  thick 
shawl  round  his  throat,  preparatory  to  leaving  the  room. 

As  Mr.  Wilson  gave  utterance  to  this  opinion,  he 
passed  Harry  Somerville,  who  was  still  staring  at  the 
fire  in  deep  mental  abstraction,  and,  as  he  did  so,  gave 
his  tilted  chair  a  very  slight  push  backwards  with  his 
finger,  —  an  action  which  caused  Harry  to  toss  up  his 
legs,  grasp  convulsively  with  both  hands  at  empty  air, 
and  fall  with  a  loud  noise  and  an  mgry  yell  to  the 
ground,  while  his  persecutor  vanished  i  om  the  scene. 

"  0  you  outrageous  villain ! "  cried  Harry,  shaking  his 
fist  at  the  door,  as  he  slowly  gathered  himself  up ;  "I 
might  have  expected  that." 

"  Quite  so,"  said  the  doctor,  "  you  might.  It  was  very 
neatly  done,  undoubtedly.  Wilson  deserves  credit  for 
the  way  in  which  it  was  executed." 

"  He  deserves  to  be  executed  for  doing  it  at  all," 
relied  Harry,  rubbing  his  elbow  as  he  resumed  his 
seat. 


FROM  THE  FAB  NORTH. 


229 


"Any  bark  knocked  off?  ••  inquired  the  accountant,  as 
he  took  a  piece  of  glowing  charcoal  from  the  stove,  where- 
with to  light  his  pipe.  "Try  a  whiff,  Harry.  Ifs  good 
for  such  things ;  bruises,  sores,  contusions,  sprains,  rheu- 
matic affections  of  the  back  and  loins,  carbuncles  and 
earache  -  there's  nothing  that  smoking  won't  cure -eh 
doctor  ?  "  ' 

"Certainly.  If  applied  inwardly,  there's  nothing  so 
good  for  digestion  when  one  doesn't  require  to-ics.  Try 
It,  Harry,  it  will  do  you  good,  I  assure  you." 

"No  thank  you,"  replied  Harry,  "I'll  leave  that  to 
you  and  the  chimney.  I  don't  wish  to  make  a  soot-has 
of  my  mouth  But  tell  me,  doctor,  what  do  you  mean  to 
do  with  that  lump  of  snow  there  ? " 

Harry  pointed  to  a  mass  of  snow,  of  about  two  feet 
square,  which  lay  on  the  floor  beside  the  door.  It  had 
been  placed  there  by  the  doctor  sometime  previously. 

Do  with  it?  Have  patience,  my  friend,  and  you 
shall  see  It  is  a  little  surprise  I  have  in  store  for 
Hamilton." 

As  he  spoke,  the  door  opened,  and  a  short,  square- 
built  man  rushed  into  the  room,  with  a  pistol  in  one  hand, 
and  a  bright  little  bullet  in  the  other. 

"  Hallo,  skipper ! »  cried  Harry,  "  what's  the  row  ?  » 

"All  right,"  cried  the  skipper,  «  here  it  is  at  last,  solid 
as  the  fluke  of  an  anchor.  Toss  me  the  powder  flask, 
Harry ;  loot  sharp,  else  it'll  melt." 

A  powder  flask  was  immediately  produced,  from  which 
he  skipper  hastily  charged  the  pistol,  and  rammed  down 
the  shining  bullet. 

"  Now  then,"  said  he,  "  look  out  for  squaUs.     Clear  the 
decks  there." 

And,  rushing  to  the  door,  he  flung  it  open,  took  a  steady 
aun  at  something  outside,  and  fired. 


230 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


« Is  the  man  mad  ?  "  said  the  accountant,  as,  with  a 
look  of  amazement,  he  beheld  the  skipper  spring  through 
the  doorway,  and  immediately  returning  bearing  in  his 
arms  a  large  piece  of  fir  plank. 

"Not  quite  mad  yet,"  he  said,  in  reply,  "but  I've 
sent  a  ball  of  quicksilver  through  an  inch  plank,  and 
that's  not  a  thing  to  be  done  every  day  —  even  here, 
although  it  is  cold  enough  sometimes  to  freeze  up  one's 
very  ideas." 

"  Dear  me,"  interrupted  Harry  Somerville,  looking  as 
if  a  new  thought  had  struck  hira,  "  that  must  be  it !  I've 
no  doubt  that  poor  Hamilton's  ideas  are  frozen,  which 
accounts  for  the  total  absence  of  any  indication  of  his 
possessing  such  things." 

"  I  observed,"  continued  the  skipper,  not  noticing  the 
interruption,  "  that  the  glass  was  down  at  45  degrees  be- 
low zero  this  morning,  and  put  out  a  bullet-mould  full  of 
mercury,  and  you  see  ths  result ;  "  as  he  spoke,  he  held 
up  the  perforated  plank  in  triumph. 

The  skipper  was  a  strange  mixture  of  qualities.  To  a 
wild,  off-hand,  sailor-like  hilarity  of  disposition,  in  hours 
of  leisure,  he  united  a  grave,  stern  energy  of  character 
while  employed  in  the  performance  of  his  duties.  Duty 
was  always  paramount  with  him.  A  smile  could  scarcely 
be  extracted  from  him,  while  it  was  in  the  course  of  per- 
formance. But,  the  instant  his  work  was  done,  a  new 
spirit  seemed  to  take  possession  of  the  man.  Fun,  mis- 
chief of  any  kind,  no  matter  how  childish,  he  entered  into 
with  the  greatest  delight  and  enthusiasm.  Among  other 
peculiarities,  he  had  become  deeply  imbued  with  a  thirst 
for  scientific  knowledge,  ever  since  he  had  acquired,  with 
infinite  labor,  the  small  modicum  of  science  necessary  to 
navigation ;  and  his  doings  in  pursuit  of  statistical  infor- 


FROM  THE   FAR  NORTH. 


281 


mation  r  lative  to  the  weather,  and  the  phenomena  of 
nature  generally,  were  very  peculiar,  and  in  some  cases 
outrageous.     His  transaction  with  the  quicksilver  was  in 
consequence  of  an  eager  desire  to  see  that  metal  frozen, 
(an  effect  which  takes    place    w.hen    the   spirit-of-wine 
thermometer  falls  to  39  degrees  below  zero  of  Fahren- 
heit,) and  a  wish  to  be  able  to  boast  of  having  actu- 
ally  fired   a  mercurial    bullet   through  an  inch  "plank. 
Having  made  a  careful    note  of  the  fact,  with  all  the 
relative  circumstances  attending  it,  in  a  very  much  blot- 
ted book,  which  he  denominated  his  scientific   log,  the 
worthy  skipper  threw  off  his  coat,  drew  a  chair  To  the 
stove,   and   prepared    to    regale    himself  with    a   pipe. 
As  he  glanced   slowly  round  the  room,  while  thus  en- 
gaged, his  eye  fell  on  the  mass  of  snow  before  alluded 
to.     On  being  informed  by  the  doctor  for  what  it  was 
intended,  he  laid  down  his  pipe  and  rose  hastily  from 
his  chair. 

"You've  not  a  moment  to  lose,"  said  he.  «As  I 
came  in  at  the  gate  just  now,  I  saw  Hamilton  comin<r 
down  the  river  on  the  ice,"  and  he  must  be  almost  arrived 
now." 

"  Up  with  it  then,"  cried  the  doctor,  seizing  the  snow 
and  lifting  it  to  the  top  of  the  door ;  « hand  me  those 
bits  of  stick,  Harry  ;  quick,  man,  stir  your  stumps.  Now 
then,  skipper,  fix  them  in  so,  while  I  hold  this  up." 

The  skipper  lent  willing  and   effective  aid,  so   that 
m  a  few  minutes  the  snow  was  placed  in  such  a  po- 
sition, that,  upon  the  opening  of  the  door,  it  must  inev- 
itably fall  op  the  head  of  the  first  person  who  should 
enter  the  room. 

"So,"  said  thfi  slcinr)*»''    "tliof'o  «; — j   .._  ?.      i    .  -^ 
-   — -r-iJ-..,      ..„„i  o  xi^-cu   up  m  what  1 

call  a  ship-shape  fashion." 


ii;i!i'iii:i 


232 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


"  True,"  remarked  the  doctor,  eyeing  the  arrange- 
ment with  a  look  of  approval ;  "  it  will  do,  I  think, 
admirably." 

"  Don't  you  think,  skipper,"  said  Harry  Soraerville, 
gravely,  as  he  resumed  his  seat  in  front  of  the  fire, 
"that  it  would  be  worth  while  to  make  a  careful 
and  minute  entry  in  your  private  log  of  the  manner 
in  which  it  was  put  up,  to  be  afterwards  followed  by 
an  account  of  its  effect?  You  might  write  an  essay 
on  it,  now ;  and  call  it  the  extraordinary  effects  of  a 
fall  of  snow  in  latitude  so  and  so;  eh?  What  think 
you  of  it  ?  " 

The  skipper  vouchsafed  no  reply,  but  made  a  signifi- 
cant gesture  with  his  fist,  which  caused  Harry  to  put  him- 
self in  a  posture  of  defence. 

At  this  moment,  footsteps  were  heard  on  the  wooden 
platform  in  front  of  the  building. 

Instantly  all  became  silence  and  expectation  in  the 
hall,  as  the  result  of  the  practical  joke  was  about  to  be 
realized.  Just  then  another  step  was  heard  on  the  plat- 
form, and  it  became  evident  that  two  persons  were  ap- 
proaching the  door. 

"  Hope  it'll  be  the  right  man,"  said  the  skipper,  with  a 
look  savoring  slightly  of  anxiety. 

As  he  spoke,  the  door  opened,  and  a  foot  crossed  the 
threshold ;  the  next  instant,  the  miniature  avalanche 
descended  on  the  head  and  shoulders  of  a  man,  who  reeled 
forward  from  the  weight  of  the  blow,  and,  covered  from 
head  to  foot  with  snow,  fell  to  the  ground  amid  shouts  of 
laughter. 

With  a  convulsive  stamp  and  shake,  the  prostrate 
figure  sprang  up  and  confronted  the  party.  Had  the 
«cast-iron  stove  suddenly  burst  into  atoms,  and  blown  the 


.  FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


233 


roof  oflf  the  house,  it  could  scarcely  have  created  greater 
consternation  than  that  which  filled  the  merry  jesters 
when  they  beheld  the  visage  of  Mr.  Rogan,  the  superin- 
tendent of  the  fort,  red  with  passion,  and  fringed  with 
snow. 

"  So,"  said  he,  stamping  violently  with  his  foot,  partly 
from  anger,  and  partly  with  the  view  of  shaking  off  the 
unexpected  covering,  which  stuck  all  over  his  dress  in 
little  patches,  producing  a  somewhat  piebald  effect,  "  so 
you  are  pleased  to  jest,  gentlemen.  Pray,  who  placed 
that  piece  of  snow  over  the  door  ?  "  Mr.  Rogan  glared 
fiercely  round  upon  the  culprits,  who  stood  speechless 
before  him. 

For  a  moment  he  stood  silent,  as  if  uncertain  how  to 
act;  then,  turning  short  on  his  heel,  he  strode  quickly  out 
of  the  room,  nearly  overturning  Mr.  Hamilton,  who  at 
the  same  instant  entered  it  carrying  his  gun  and  snow- 
shoes  under  his  arm. 

"  Dear  me,  what  has  happened  ?  "  he  exclaimed,  in  a 
peculiarly  gentle  tone  of  voice,  at  the  same  time  regard- 
ing the  snow  and  the  horror-stricken  circle  with  a  look 
of  intense  surprise. 

"  You  see  what  has  happened,"  replied  Harry  Somer- 
ville,  who  was  the  first  to  recover  his  composure ;  "  I 
presume  you  intended  to  ask,  '  What  has  caused  it  to 
happen  ? '  Perhaps  the  skipper  will  explain.  It's  beyond 
me,  quite." 

Thus  appealed  to,  that  worthy  cleared  his  throat,  and 
said  — 

"  Why,  you  see,  Mr.  Hamilton,  a  great  phenomenon 
of  meteorology  has  happened.  We  were  all  standing,  you 
must  know,  at  the  open  door,  taking  a  squint  at  the 
weather,  when  our  attention  was  attracted  by  a  curious 


284 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


object  tlmt  a[)peHre(l  in  the  sky,  and  seemed  to  be  coming 
down  at  the  rate  of  ten  knots  an  hour,  right  end-on  for 
the  house.  I  had  just  time  to  cry,  '  Clear  out,  hids,'  when 
it  came  ship  in  through  the  doorway,  and  smashed  to 
shivers  there,  where  you  see  the  fragments.  In  fact,  it's 
a  wonderful  aerolite,  and  Mr.  Rogan  has  just  gone  out 
with  a  lot  of  the  bits  in  his  pocket,  to  make  a  careful 
examination  of  them,  and  draw  up  a  report  for  the  Geo- 
logical Society  in  London.  I  shouldn't  wonder  if  he  were 
to  send  off  an  express  to-niglit ;  and  maybe  yo.u  will  have 
to  convey  the  news  to  head-quarters  ;  so  you'd  better  go 
and  see  him  about  it  soon." 

Soft  although  Mr.  Hamilton  was  supposed  to  be,  he 
was  not  quite  prepared  to  give  credit  to  this  explanation; 
but,  being  of  a  peaceful  disposition,  and  altogether  unac- 
customed to  retort,  he  merely  smiled  his  disbelief,  as  he 
proceeded  to  lay  aside  his  fowling-piece,  and  divest  him- 
self of  the  voluminous  out-of-door  trappings  with  which 
he  was  clad.  Mr.  Hamilton  was  a  tall,  slender  youth,  of 
about  nineteen.  He  had  come  out  by  the  ship  in  autumn, 
and  was  spending  his  first  winter  at  York  Fort.  Up  to 
the  period  of  his  entering  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company's 
service,  he  had  never  been  more  than  twenty  miles  from 
home  ;  and,  liaving  mingled  little  with  the  world,  was 
somewhat  unsophisticated,  besides  being  by  nature  gentle 
and  unassuming. 

Soon  after  this,  the  man  who  acted  as  cook,  wairer, 
and  butler  to  the  mess,  entered,  and  said  that  Mr.  Rogan 
desired  to  see  the  accountant  immediately. 

"  Who  am  I  to  say  did  it  ?  "  inquired  that  gentleman, 
as  he  rose  to  obey  the  summons. 

"  Wouldn't  it  be  a  disinterested  piece  of  kindness  if 
you  were  to  say  it  v/as  y 


<^.^t.f^ ^% I » J ''  /-••** 


UUXCCli 


au 


oo 


Dicu  mc  uwu 


IV/I> 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


285 


"  Perhaps  it  would,  but  I  won't,"  replied  the  account- 
ant, as  he  made  his  exit. 

In  about  half  an  hour,  Mr.  Rogan  and  the  accountant 
reentered  the  apartment.  The  former  had  quite  regained 
his  composure.  lie  was  naturally  amiable ;  which  happy 
disposition  was  indicated  by  a  habitually  cheerful  look 
and  smile. 

"Now,  gentlemen,"  said  he,  "  I  find  that  this  practical 
joke  was  not  intended  for  me,  and  therefore  look  upon 
'  as  an  unlucky  accident ;  but  I  cannot  too  strongly  ex- 
press my  dislike -to  practical  jokes  of  all  kinds.  I  have 
seen  great  evil,  and  some  bloodshed,  result  from  practical 
jokes  ;  and  I  think  that,  being  a  sufferer  in  consequence 
of  your  fondness  for  them,  I  have  a  right  to  beg  that  you 
will  abstain  from  such  doings  in  future,  —  at  least  from 
such  jokes  as  involve  risk  to  those  who  do  not  choose  to 
enter  into  them." 

Having  given  vent  to  this  speech,  Mr.  Rogan  left  his 
volatile  friends  to  digest  it  at  their  leisure. 

"Serves  us  right,"  s  lid  the  skipper,  pacing  up  and 
down  the  room  in  a  repentant  frame  of  mind,  with  his 
thumbs  hooked  into  the  arm-holes  of  his  vest. 

The  doctor  said  nothing,  but  breathed  hard,  and  smoked 
vigorously. 

While  we  admit  most  thoroughly  with  Mr.  Rogan  that 
practical  jokes  are  exceedingly  bad,  and  productive,  fre- 
quently, of  far  more  evil  than  fun,  we  feel  it  our  duty, 
as  a  faithful  delineator  of  manners,  customs,  and  charac- 
ter in  these  regions,  to  urge  in  palliation  of  the  offence 
committed  by  the  young  gentlemen  at  York  Fort,  that 
they  had  really  about  as  few  amusements,  and  sources  of 
excitement,  as  fall  to  the  lot  of  any  class  of  men.  They 
were  entirely  dependent  on  their  own  unaided  exertions, 


!i!!!L 
Jillliill 


236 


SNQWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


during  eight  or  nine  months  of  the  year,  for  amusement 
or  recreation  of  any  kind.  Their  books  were  few  in 
number,  and  soon  read  through.  The  desolate  wilder- 
ness around  afforded  no  incidents  to  form  subjects  of 
conversation,  further  than  the  events  of  a  day's  shooting, 
which,  being  nearly  similar  every  day,  soon  lost  all  inter- 
est. No  newspapers  came  to  tell  of  the  doings  of  the 
busy  world  from  which  they  were  shut  out,  and  nothing 
occurred  to  vary  the  dull  routine  of  their  life  ;  so  that  it 
is  not  matter  for  wonder  that  they  were  driven  to  seek 
for  relaxation  and  excitement,  occasionally,  in  most  out- 
rageous and  unnatural  ways,  and  to  indulge,  now  and 
then  in  the  perpetration  of  a  practical  joke. 

For  some  time  after  the  rebuke  administered  by  Mr. 
Rogan,  silence  reigned  in  Bachelor's  Hall^  as  the  clerks' 
house  was  termed.  But  at  length  symptoms  of  ennui 
began  to  be  dispkyed.  The  doctor  yawned;  and  lay  down 
on  his  bed  to  enjoy  an  American  newspaper  about  twelve 
months  old.  Harry  Somerville  sat  down  to  re-read  a 
volume  of  Franklin's  travels  in  the  Polar  Regions,  which 
he  had  perused  twice  already.  Mr.  Hamilton  busied 
himself  in  cleaning  his  fowling-piece  ;  while  the  skipper 
conversed  with  Mr.  Wilson,  who  was  engaged  in  his  room 
in  adjusting  an  ivory  head  to'  a  walking-stick.  Mr.  Wil- 
son was  a  jack-of-all-trades,  who  could  make  shift,  one 
way  or  other,  to  do  anything.  The  accountant  paced  the 
uncarpeted  floor  in  deep  contemplation. 

At  length  he  paused,  and  looked  at  Harry  Somerville 
for  some  time. 

"  What  say  you  to  a  walk  through  the  woods  to  North 
River,  Harry  ?  " 

look  of  contempt,  —  "  ready  for  anything." 


FROM  THE  FAB  NORTH. 


237 


"  Will  you  come,  Hamilton  ?  "  added  the  accountant. 
Hamilton  looked  up  in  surprise. 

"  You  don't  mean,  surely,  to  take  so  long  a  walk  in 
the  dark,  do  you  ?  It  is  snowing,  too,  very  heavily,  and 
I  think  you  said  that  North  River  was  five  miles  off,  did 
you  not  ?  " 

"  Of  course  I  mean  to  walk  in  the  dark,"  replied  the 
accountant,  "unless  you  can  extemporize  an  artificial 
light  for  the  occasion,  or  prevail  on  the  moon  to  come  out 
for  my  special  benefit.  As  to  snowing,  and  a  short  tramp 
of  five  miles,  why,  the  sooner  you  get  to  think  of  such 
things  as  trijies  the  better,  if  you  hope  to  be  fit  for  any- 
thing in  this  country." 

"  I  don't  think  much  of  them,"  replied  Hamilton,  softly, 
and  with  a  slight  smile  ;  "  I  only  meant  that  such  a  walk 
was  not  very  attractive  so  late  in  the  evening." 

"Attractive!"  shouted  Harry  Somerville,  from  his 
bedroom,  where  he  was  equipping  himself  for  the  walk, 
"  what  can  be  more  attractive  than  a  sharp  run  of  ten 
miles  through  the  woods  on  a  cool  night,  to  visit  your 
traps,  with  the  prospect  of  a  silver  fox,  or  a  wolf,  at 
the  end  of  it,  and  an  extra  sound  sleep  as  the  result  ? 
Come,  man,  don't  be  soft ;  get  ready,  and  go  along  with 


us. 


"Besides,"  added  the  accountant,  "I  don't  mean  to 

come  back  to-night.     To-morrow,  you  know,  is  a  holiday, 

.  so  we  can  camp  out  in  the  snow,  after  visiting  the  traps, 

—  have  our  supper,  and  start  early  in  the  morning  to 

search  for  ptarmigan." 

"Well,  I  will  go,"  said  Hamilton,  after  this  account  of 
the  pleasures  that  were  to  be  expected ;  "  I  am  exceed- 

mglv  anxioi]»  fn  Ipnrn  i(\  a\yr\n\  Wtr^A^  ««  ♦U^  „.: » 

"Bless  me!  have  you  not  learned  that  yet.^"  asked 


238 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


the  doctor,  in  affected  surprise,  as  he  sauntered  out  of  his 
bedroom  to  relight  his  pipe. 

The  various  bedrooms  in  the  clerks'  house  were  ranged 
round  the  hall,  having  doors  that  opened  directly  into 
it,  so  that  conversation  carried  on  in  a  loud  voice  was 
heard  in  all  the  rooms  at  once,  and  was  not  unfrequently 
sustained  in  elevated  tones  from  different  apartments, 
when  the  occupants  were  lounging,  as  they  often  did  of 
an  evening,  in  their  beds. 

"  No,"  said  Hamilton,  in  reply  to  the  doctor's  question, 
"  I  have  not  learned  yet,  although  there  were  a  great 
many  grouse  in  the  part  of  Scotland  where  I  was  brought 
up.  But  my  aunt,  with  whom  I  lived,  was  so  fearful  of 
my  shooting  either  myself  or  some  one  else,  and  had  such 
an  aversion  to  firearms,  that  I  determined  to  make  her 
mind  easy,  by  promising  that  I  would  never  use  them,  so 
long  as  I  remained  under  her  roof." 

"Quite  right;  vary  dutiful  and  proper,"  said  the  doctor, 
with  a  grave  patronizing  air. 

"  Perhaps  you'll  fall  in  with  more  fox  tracks  of  the 
same  sort  as  the  one  you  gave  chase  to  this  morning," 
shouted  the  skipper,  from  Wilson's  room. 

"  Oh !  there's  hundreds  of  them  out  there,"  said  the 
accountant ;  "  so  let's  off  at  once." 

The  trio  now  proceeded  to  equip  themselves  for  the 
walk.  Their  costumes  were  peculiar,  and  merit  descrip- 
tion. As  they  were  similar  in  the  chief  points,  it  will 
suffice  to  describe  that  of  our  friend  Harry. 

On  his  head  he  wore  a  fur  cap  made  of  otter-skin,  with 
a  flap  on  each  side  to  cover  the  ears,  the  frost  being  so 
intense  in  these  climates  that,  without  some  such  pro- 
tection, they  would  inevitably  freeze  and  fall  off. 

As  the  nose  is  constantly  in  use  for  the  purposes  of 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


239 


of 


respiration,  it  is  always  left  uncovered  to  fight  with  the 
cold  as  it  best  can  ;  but  it  is  a  hard  battle,  and  there  is 
no  doubt  that,  if  it  were  possible,  a  nasal  covering  would 
be  extremely  pleasant.     Indeed,  several  desperate  efforta 
have  been  made  to  construct  some  sort  of  nose-ba<r,  but 
hitherto   without   success,   owing   to   the   uncomfortable 
fact  that  the  breath  issuing  from  that  organ  immediately 
freezes,  and  converts  the  covering  into  a  bag  of  snow 
or  ice,  which  is  not  agreeable.     Round  his  neck,  Harry 
wound  a  thick  shawl  of  such  portentous  dimensions,  that 
it  entirely  enveloped  the  neck  and  lower  part  of  the  face ; 
thus  the  entire  head  was,  as  it  were,  eclipsed,  the  eyes, 
the  nose,  and  the  cheek-bones  alone  being  visible.     He 
then  threw  on  a  coat  made  of  deer-skin,  so  prepared  that 
it  bore  a  slight  resemblance  to  excessively  coarse  chamois 
leather.     It  was  somewhat  in  the  form  of  a  long,  wide 
surtout,  overlapping   very  much  in  front,  and  confined 
closely  to  the  figure  by  means  of  a  scarlet  worsted  belt 
instead  of  buttons,  and  was  ornamented  round  the  foot  by 
a  number  of  cuts,  which  produced  a  fringe  of  little  tails. 
Being  lined  with  thick  flannel,  this  portion  of  attire  was 
rather  heavy,  but  extremely  necessary.     A  pair  of  blue 
cloth  leggins,  having  a  loose  flap  on  the  outside,  were 
next  drawn  on  over  the  trousers,  as  an  additional  protec- 
tion to  the  knees.     The  feet,  besides  being  portions  of 
the  body  that  are  peculiarly  susceptible  of    cold,   Ii«d 
further  to  contend  against  the  chafing  of  the  lines  which 
attach  them  to  the  snow-shoes,  so  that  special  care  in 
their  preparation  for  duty  was  necessary.      First  were 
put  on  a  pair  of  blanketing  or  duflle  socks,  which  were 
merely  oblong  in  form,  without  sewing  or  making  up  of 
any  kind.     These  were  wrapped  round  the  feet,  which 
were  next  thrust  into  a  pair  of  made-up  stocks,  of  the 


240 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


j   1 


- 1  1 


>  * 


IH 

■ 

Hiteh 

same  material,  having  ankle  pieces ;  ab(  e  these  were  put 
another  pair,  without  flaps  for  the  ankles.  Over  all  was 
drawn  a  pair  of  moccasons  made  of  stout  deer-skin,  simi- 
lar to  that  of  the  coat.  Of  course,  the  elegance  of  Harry's 
feet  was  entirely  destroyed,  and  had  he  been  met  in  this 
guise  by  any  of  his  friends  in  the  "  old  country,"  they 
would  infallibly  have  come  to  the  conclusion  that  he  was 
afflicted  with  gout.  Over  his  shoulders  he  slung  a  pow- 
der-horn and  shot-pouch,  the  latter  tastefully  embroidered 
with  dyed  quill  work.  A  pair  of  deer-skin  mittens,  hav- 
ing a  little  bag  for  the  thumb,  and  a  large  bag  for  the 
fingers,  completed  his  costume. 

While  the  three  were  making  ready,  with  a  running 
accompaniment  of  grunts  and  groans  at  refractory  pieces 
of  apparel,  the  night  without  became  darker,  and  the  snow 
fell  thicker,  so  that,  when  they  issued  suddenly  out  of 
their  warm  abode,  and  emerged  into  the  sharp  frosty  air, 
which  blew  the  snowdrift  into  their  eyes,  they  felt  a 
momentary  desire  to  give  up  the  project  and  return  to 
their  comfortable  quarters. 

"  What  a  dismal-looking  night  it  is ! "  said  the  account- 
ant, as  he  led  the  way  along  the  wooden  platform  towards 
the  gate  of  the  fort. 

"  Very  ! "  replied  Hamilton,  with  an  involuntary  shud- 
der. 

"  Keep  up  your  heart,"  said  Harry,  in  a  cheerful  voice, 
"  you've  no  notion  how  your  mind  will  change  on  that 
point  when  you  have  walked  a  mile  or  so,  and  got  into  a 
comfortable  heat.  I  must  confess,  however,  that  a  little 
moonshine  would  be  ai^  improvement,"  he  added,  on 
stumbling,  for  the  third  time,  off  the  platform  into  the 
deep  snow. 


u 


1.1  IS  lUii  moon  jusi  now,    saia  tne  accountant,  "ana 


FKOM  THE  FAB  NORTH. 


241 


I  think  the  clouds  look  as  if  they  would  break  soon.  At 
any  rate,  I've  been  at  North  River  so  often  that  I  believe 
I  could  walk  out  there  blindfold." 

As  he  spoke  they  passed  the  gate,  and  diverging  to  the 
right,  proceeded,  as  well  as  the  imperfect  light  permitted, 
along  the  footpath  that  led  to  the  forest. 


13 


242 


snoWflakes  and  sunbeams 


I 


nt 


m 


m 


i  t 


n 


1M; 

IH^i 

n    ■ 

IH 

i      ■ 

InHi 

s    ■ 

rHnl^Hi 

|; 

i^H 

i;i 

ilMi 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 

THE  WALK  CONTINUED;  FROZEN  TOES;  AN  ENCAMPMENT  IN  THE 

SNOW. 

AFTER  quitting  York  Fort,  the  three  friends  fol- 
lowed the  track  leading  to  the  spot  where  the  win- 
ter's firewood  was  cut.  Snow  was  still  falling  thickly, 
and  it  was  with  some  difficulty  that  the  accountant  kept 
in  the  right  direction.  The  night  was  excessively  dark) 
while  the  dense  fir  forest,  through  which  the  narrow  road 
ran,  rendered  the  gloom,  if  possible,  more  intense. 

When  they  had  proceeded  about  a  mile,  their  leader 
suddenly  came  to  a  stand. 

"  We  must  quit  the  track  now,"  said  he,  "  so  get  on 
your  snow-shoes  as  fast  as  you  can." 

Hitherto  they  had  carried  their  snow-shoes  under  their 
arms,  as  the  beaten  track  along  which  they  travelled 
rendered  them  unnecessary ;  but  now,  having  to  leave  the 
path  and  pursue  the  remainder  of  their  journey  through 
deep  snow,  they  availed  themselves  of  those  useful  ma- 
chines, by  means  of  which  the  inhabitants  of  this  part  of 
North  America  are  enabled  to  journey  over  many  miles 
of  irackless  wilderness,  with  nearly  as  much  ease  as  a 
sportsman  can  traverse  the  moors  in  autumn,  and  that 
over  snow  so  deep  that  one  hour's  walk  through  it  with- 
out such  aids  would  completely  exhaust  the  stoutest  trap- 
pier, and  advance  him  only  a  mile  or  so  on  his  journey. 
In  other  words,  to  walk  without  snow-shoes  would  be  ut- 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


243 


terly  impossible,  while  to  walk  with  them   is  easy  and 
agreeable.      They  are   not  used  after   the   manner  of 
skates,  with  a  sliding,  but  a  stepping  action,  and  their  sole 
use  is  to  support  the  wearer  on  the  top  of  snow,  into 
which,  without  them,  he  would  sink  up  to  the  waist. 
When  we  say  that  they  support  the  wearer  on  the  top  of 
the  snow,  of  course  we  do  not  mean  that  they  literally  do 
not  break  the  surface  at  all.     But  the  depth  to  which 
they  sink  is  comparatively  trifling,  and  varies  according 
■  to  the  state  of  the  snow  and  the  season  of  the  year.     In 
the  woods,  they  sink  frequently  about  six  inches,  some- 
times more,  sometimes  less,  while  on  frozen  rivers,  where 
the  snow  is  packed  solid  by  the  action  of  the  wind,  they 
sink  only  two  or  three  inches,  and  sometimes  so  little  as 
to  render  it  preferable  to  walk  without  them  altogether. 
Snow-shoes  are  made  of  a  light,  strong  framework  of 
wood,  varying  from  three  to  six  feet  long  by  eighteen 
and  twenty  inches  broad,  tapering  to  a  point  before  and 
behind,  and  turning   up  in   front.     Different   tribes   of 
Indians  modify  the  form  a  little,  but  in  all  essential  points 
they  are  the  same.     The  framework  is  jBlled  up  with  a 
netting  of  deerskin  threads,  which  unites  lightness  with 
great  strength,  and  permits  any  snow  that  may  chance  to 
fall  upon  the  netting  to  pass  through  it  like  a  sieve. 

On  the  present  occasion,  the  snow,  having  recently 
fallen,  was  soft,  and  the  walking,  consequently,  what  is 
called  heavy. 

"  Come  on,"  shouted  the  accountant,  as  he  came  to  a 
stand  for  the  third  time  within  half  an  hour,  to  await  the 
coming  up  of  poor  Hamilton,  who,  being  rather  awkward 
in  snow-shoe  walking,  even  in  daylight,  found  it  nearly 
impossible  in  the  dark. 

"  Wait  a  little,  please,"  replied  a  faint  voice  in  the  dis- 


244 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


l!f 


f  ^l 


tance ;  "  I've  got  among  a  quantity  of  willows,  and  find  it 
very  difficult  to  get  on.     I've  been  down  twice  al " 

The  sudden  cessation  of  the  voice,  and  a  loud  crash  as 
of  breaking  branches,  proved  too  clearly  that  our  friend 
had  accomplished  his  third  fall. 

"  There  he  goes  again,"  exclaimed  Harry  Somerville, 
who  came  up  at  the  moment.  "  I've  helped  him  up  once 
already.  We'll  never  get  to  North  River  af  this  rate. 
"What  IS  to  be  done  ?  " 

"  Let's  see  what  has  become  of  him  this  time,  how- 
ever," said  the  accountant,  as  he  began  to  retrace  his 
steps.  "  If  I  mistake  not,  he  made  rather  a  heavy 
plunge  that  time,  judging  from  the  sound." 

At  that  moment  the  clouds  overhead  broke,  and  a 
moonbeam  shot  down  into  the  forest,  throwing  a  pale 
light  over  the  cold  scene.  A  few  steps  brought  Harry 
and  the  accountant  to  the  spot  whence  the  sound  had  pro- 
ceeded, and  a  loud,  startling  laugh  rang  through  the  night 
air,  as  the  latter  suddenly  beheld  poor  Hamilton  strug- 
gling, with  his  arms,  head,  and  shoulders  stuck  into  the 
snow,  his  snow-shoes  twisted  and  sticking  with  the  heels 
up  and  awry,  in  a  sort  of  rampant  confusion,  and  his  gun 
buried  to  the  locks  beside  him.  Regaining  one's  perpen- 
dicular after  a  fall  in  deep  snow,  when  the  feet  are  en- 
cumbered by  a  pair  of  long  snow-shoes,  is  by  no  means 
an  easy  thing  to  accomplish,  in  consequence  of  the  im- 
possibility of  getting  hold  of  anything  solid,  on  which  to 
rest  the  bands.  The  depth  is  so  great  that  the  out- 
stretched arms  cannot  find  bottom,  and  every  successive 
struggle  only  sinks  the  unhappy  victim  deeper  down. 
Should  no  assistance  be  near,  he  will  soon  beat  the  snow 
to  a  solidity  that  will  enable  him  to  rise,  but  not  in  a 
very  enviable  or  comfortable  condition. 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


^45 


«  Give  me  a  hand,  Harry,"  gasped  Hamilton,  as  he 
managed  to  twist  his  head  upwards  for  a  moment. 

«  Here  ycu  are,"  cried  Harry,  holding  out  his  hand  and 
endeavoring  to  suppress  his  desire  to  laugh,  « up  with 
you,"  and  in  another  moment  the  poor  youth  was  upon 
his  legs,  with  every  fold  and  crevice  about  his  person 
stuffed  to  repletion  with  snow. 

"Come,  cheer  up,"  cried  the  accountant,  giving  the 
youth  a  slap  on  the  back, « there's  nothing  like  experience, 
—  the  proverb  says  that  it  even  teaches  fools,  so  you  need 
not  despair." 

Hamilton  smiled  as  he  endeavored  to  shake  off  some 
of  his  white  coating. 

"We'll  be  all  right  immediately,"  added  Harry;  «Isee 
that  the  country  ahead  is  more  open,  so  the  walking  will 
be  easier." 

"  Oh !  I  wish  that  I  had  not  come,"  said  Hamilton,  sor- 
rowfully, "  because  I  am  only  detaining  you.  But  perhaps 
I  shall  do  better  as  we  get  on.  At  any  rate  I  cannot  go 
back  now,  as  I  could  never  find  the  way." 

"  Go  back !  of  course  not,"  said  the  accountant ;  "  in  a 
short  time  we  shall  get  into  the  old  woodcutters'  track 
of  last  year,  and  although  it's  not  beaten  at  all,  yet 
it  is  pretty  level  and  open,  so  that  we  shall  get  on 
famously." 

"  Go  on,  then,"  sighed  Hamilton. 

"  Drive  ahead,"  laughed  Harry,  and  without  farther 
delay  they  resumed  their  march,  whicii  was  soon  rendered 
more  cheerful  as  the  clouds  rolled  away,  the  snow  ceased 
to  fall,  and  the  bright,  full  moon  poured  its  rays  down 
upon  their  path. 

For  a  long  time  they  proceeded  in  silence;  the 
muffled   sound   of  the  snow,  as  it  sank   beneath   their 


246 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


regular  footatepa,  being  the  only  interruption  to  the 
universal  ptillneas  around.  There  is  something  very 
solemnizing  in  a  scene  sUvh  as  we  are  now  describing. 
The  calm  tranciuillity  of  the  arctic  night ;  the  pure 
whiteness  of  the  snowy  carpet,  whicii  rendered  the  daric 
firs  inky  black  by  contrast ;  the  clear,  cold,  starry  sky, 
that  glimmered  behind  the  dark  clouds,  whose  lieavy 
masses,  now  rolling  across  the  moon,  partially  obscured 
the  landscape,  and  anon,  passing  slowly  away,  let  a  flood 
of  light  down  upon  the  forest,  which,  penetrating  be- 
tween the  thick  branches,  scattered  the  surface  of  the 
snow,  as  it  were,  with  flakes  of  silver.  Sleep  has  often 
been  applied  as  a  simile  to  nature  in  repose,  but  in 
this  case  death  seemed  more  a})propriate.  So  silent,  so 
cold,  so  still  was  the  scene,  that  it  filled  the  mind  with  an 
indefinable  feeling  of  dread,  as  if  there  was  some  mys- 
terious danger  near.  Once  or  twice  during  their  walk 
the  three  travellers  paused  to  rest,  but  they  spoke  little, 
and  in  subdued  voices,  as  if  they  feared  to  break  the 
silence  of  the  night. 

"  It  is  strange,"  said  Harry,  in  a  low  tone,  as  he  walked 
beside  Hamilton,  "  that  such  a  scene  as  this  always  makes 
me  think  more  than  usual  of  home." 

"  And  yet  it  is  natural,"  replied  the  other,  "  because  it 
reminds  us  more  forcibly  than  any  other  that  we  are  in  a 
foreign  land  —  in  the  lonely  wilderness  —  far  away  from 
home." 

Both  Harry  and  Hamilton  had  been  trained  in  families 
where  the  Almighty  was  feared  and  loved  ;  and  where 
their  minds  had  been  early  led  to  reflect  upon  the  Creator 
when  regarding  the  works  of  his  hand ;  their  thoughts, 
therefore,  naturally  reverted  to  another  home,  com- 
pared w^iih  which,  this  world  is    indeed  a    cold,  lonCiy 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


247 


wilderness  ;  but  on  such  subjects  they  feared  to  converse, 
partly  from  n  dread  of  the  ridicule  of  reckless  conipan- 
ioM8,  partly  from  ignorance  of  each  other's  feelings  on 
religious  matters,  and,  although  their  minds  were  busy, 
their  tongues  were  silent. 

The  ground  over  which  the  greater  part  of  their 
path  lay  was  a  swarnp,  which,  being  now  frozen,  was  a 
beautiful  white  plain,  so  that  their  advance  was  more 
rapid,  until  they  approacho<l  the  belt  of  woodland  that 
skirts  North  River.  Jlere  they  again  encountered  the 
heavy  huow,  which  had  been  such  a  source  of  diffi- 
culty to  Hamilton  at  setting  out.  He  had  profited  by 
his  former  experience,  however,  and,  by  the  exercise 
of  an  excessive  degree  of  caution,  managed  to  scram- 
ble through  the  woods  tolerably  well,  emerging  at  last,, 
along  with  his  companions,  on  the  bleak  margin  of 
what  appeared  to  be  the  frozen  sea. 

North  River,  at  this  place,  is  several  miles  broad,  and 
the  opposite  shore  is  so  low,  that  the  snow  causes  it  to. 
appear  but  a  slight  undulation  of  the  frozen  bed  of  the 
river.  Indeed,  it  would  not  be  distinguishable  at  all,  were 
it  not  for  the  willow  bushes  and  dwarf  pines,  whose  tops, 
rising  above  the  white  garb  of  winter,  indicate  that  terra 
firma  lies  below. 

"  What  a  cold,  desolate  looking  place  !  "  said  Hamilton^ 
as  the  party  stood  still  to  recover  breath  before  taking 
their  way  over  the  plain  to  the  spot  where  the  account- 
ant's traps  were  set.  "It  looks  much  more  hke  the 
frozen  sea  than  a  river." 

"  It  can  scarcely  be  called  a  river  at  this  place,"  re- 
marked the  accountant, "  seeing  that  the  water  hereabouts 
is  brackish,  and  the  tides  ebb  and  flow  a  good  way  up. 
—     --v.j   -.xiio  lo    _iic    cvucmu    ujuuiu  oi    xsortii    iCivcr, 


248 


8N0WFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


n 


i  'I'. 


I 


and  if  you  turn  your  eyes  a  little  to  the  right,  towards 
yonder  ice-hummoek  in  the  plain,  you  behold  the  frozen 
sea  itself." 

"  Where  are  your  traps  set  ?  "  inquired  Harry. 

"  Down  in  the  hollow  behind  yon  point  covered  with 
brushwood." 

"  Oh,  we  shall  soon  get  to  them  then ;  come  along," 
cried  Harry. 

Harry  was  mistaken,  hcAvever.  He  had  not  yet 
learned  by  experience  the  extreme  difficulty  of  judg- 
ing of  distance  in  the  uncertain  light  of  night;  a  dif- 
ficulty that  was  increased  by  his  ignorance  of  the 
locality,  and  by  the  gleams  of  moonshine  that  shot 
through  the  driving  clouds,  and  threw  confused,  fan- 
tastic shadows  over  the  plain.  The  point  which  he 
had  at  first  supposed  was  covered  with  low  bushes, 
and  about  a  hundred  yards  off,  proved  to  be  clad  in 
reality  with  large  bushes  and  small  trees,  and  lay  at  a 
distance  of  two  miles. 

"I  think  you  have  been  mistaken  in  supposing  the 
point  so  near.  Hairy,"  said  Hamilton,  as  he  trudged  on 
beside  his  friend. 

"A  fact,  evident  to  the  naked  eye,"  replied  Harry. 
"  How  do  your  feet  stand  it,  eh  ?  Beginning  to  lose 
bark  yet?" 

Hamilton  did  not  feel  quite  sure.  "  I  think,"  said  he, 
softly,  "  that  there  is  a  blister  under  the  big  toe  of  my 
left  foot.     It  feels  very  painful." 

"  If  you  feel  at  all  uncertain  about  it,  you  may  rest 
assured  that  there  is  a  blister.  These  things  don't  give 
much  pain  at  first.  I'm  sorry  to  tell  you,  ray  dear  fel- 
low, that  you'll  be  painfully  aware  of  the  fact  to-mor- 
row.   However,  don't  distress  yourself.    It's  a  part  of 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


249 


, » 


the  experience  that  every  one  goes  through  in  this  coun- 
try. Besides,"  said  Harry,  smiling,  «  wo  can  send  to  the 
fort  for  medical  advice." 

"  Don't  bother  the  poor  fellow,  and  hold  your  tongue, 
Harry,"  said  the  accountant,  who  now  began  to  tread 
more  cautiously  as  he  approached  the  place  where  the 
traps  were  set. 

"  IIow  many  traps'  have  you  ?  "  inquired  Harry,  in  a 
low  tone. 

"  Three,"  replied  the  accountant. 

"  Do  you  know  I  have  a  very  strange  feeling  about 
my  heels,— -or,  rather,  a  want  of  feeling,"  said  Hamilton, 
smiling  dubiously. 

"A  want  of  feeling  I  what  do  you  mean?"  cried  the 
accountant,  stopping  suddenly  and  confronting  his  young 
friend. 

"  Oh !  I  daresay  it's  nothing,"  he  exclaimed,  looking 
as  if  ashamed  of  having  spoken  of  it,  "  only  I  feel  exactly 
as  if  both  my  Leels  were  cut  off,  and  I  were  walking  on 
tiptoe!" 

"  Say  you  so  ?  then  right-about  wheel.  Your  heels 
are  frozen,  man,  and  you'll  lose  them  if  you  don't  look 
sharp." 

'  "Frozen!"  cried   Hamilton,  with  a  look  of  incre- 
dulity. 

"  Ay,  frozen  ;  and  it's  lucky  you  told  me.  I've  a  place 
up  in  the  woods  here,  which  I  call  my  winter  camp, 
where  we  can  get  you  put  to  rights  ;  but  step  out ;  the 
longer  we  are  about  it,  the  worse  for  you." 

Harry  Somerville  was  at  first  disposed  to  think  that 
the  accountant  jested,  but  seeing  that  he  turned  his  back 
towards  his  traps,  and  made  for  the  nearest  point  of  the 

thick  woods,  with     a    at|n'<^r>    *U^4-    U^i■^^ J    xi-  »       . 

J.  „  uvixviv  iit«fc  wciuikciiuu  luorougn  sio- 


lll 


250 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAJiS 


cerity,  he  became  anxious  too,  and  followed  aa  fast  as 
•possible. 

The  place  to  which  the  accountant  led  hia  young 
friends  was  a  group  of  fir-trees  which  grew  on  a  little 
knoll  that  rose  a  fe."  feet  above  the  surrounding  level 
country.  At  the  foot  of  this  hillock,  a  small  rivulet  or 
burn  ran  in  summer,  but  the  only  evidence  of  its  pres- 
ence now  was  the  absence  of  willow  bushes  all  along  its 
covered  narrow  bed.  A  level  track  was  thus  formed 
by  nature,  free  from  all  underwood,  and  running  inland 
about  the  distance  of  a  mile,  where  it  was  lost  in  the 
swaiup  whence  the  stream  issued.  The  wooded  knoll,  or 
hillock,  lay  at  the  moutli  of  this  brook,  and,  being  the 
only  ele\ated  spot  in  the  neighborhood,  besides  having 
the  largest  trees  growing  on  it,  had  been  selected  by 
the  accountant  as  a  cotivenient  place  for  "camping  out" 
on,  when  he  visited  his  traps  in  winter,  and  happened  to 
be  eiiher  too  late,  or  disinclined,  to  return  home.  More- 
over, the  spreading  fir  branches  afforded  an  excellent 
shelter  alike  from  wind  and  snow  in  the  centre  of  the 
clump ;  while  from  the  margin  was  obtained  a  partial  view 
of  the  river  and  the  sea  beyond.  Indeed,  from  this  look- 
out there  was  a  very  fine  prospect  on  clear  winter  nights 
of  the  white  landscape,  enlivened  occasionally  by  groups 
of  arctic  foxes,  which  might  be  seen  scampering  about  iu 
sport,  and  gambolling  among  the  hummocks  of  ice  like 
young  kittens. 

"  Now  we  shall  turn  up  here,"  said  the  accountant,  as 
he  walked  a  short  way  up  the  brook  before  mentioned, 
and  halted  in  front  of  what  appeared  to  be  an  impene- 
trable mass  of  bushes. 

"  W#»    chnll     linvp    in    nnf    nn>    xtrafr  tVian  "    ooirl    TTarrv. 

looking  to  the  right  and  left,  in  the  vain  hope  of  discov- 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


251 


ering  a  place  where,  the  bushes  being  less  dense,  they 
might  effect  an  entrance  into  the  knoll  or  grove. 

"  Not  so.  I  have  taken  care  to  make  I  passage  into 
my  winter  camp,  although  it  was  only  a  whim  after  all  to 
make  a  concealed  entrance ;  seeing  that  no  one  ever  passes 
this  way,  except  wolves  and  foxes,  whose  noses  render 
the  use  of  their  eyes  in  most  cases  unnecessary." 

So  saying,  the  accountant  turned  aside  a  thick  branch, 
and  disclosed  a  narrow  track,  into  which  he  entered,  fol- 
lowed by  his  two  companions. 

A  few  minutes  brought  them  to  the  centre  of  the  knoll. 
Here  they  found  a  clear  space  of  about  twenty  feet  in 
diameter,  around  which  the  trees  circled  so  thickly,  that 
in  daylight  nothing  could  be  seen  but  tree  stems  L  far 
as  the  eye  could  penetrate,  while  overhead  the  broad,  fiat 
branches  of  the  firs,  with  their  evergreen  verdure,  spread 
out  and  interlaced  so  thickly,  that  very  little  light  pene- 
trated  into  the  space  below.  Of  course  at  night,  even  in 
moonlight,  the  place  was  pitch  dark.  Into  this  retreat 
the  accountant  led  his  companions,  and,  bidding  them 
stand  still  for  ;  minute  lest  they  should  tumble  into  the 
fireplace,  he  proceeded  to  strike  a  light. 

Those  who  have  never  travelled  in  the  wild  parts  of 
this  world  can  form  but  a  faint  conception  of  the  extraor- 
dmary  and  sudden  change  that  is  produced,  not  only  in 
the  scene,  but  in  the  mind  of  the  beholder,  when  a  blaz- 
ing fire  is  lighted  in  a  dark  night.  Before  the  fire  is 
kindled,  and  you  stand,  perhaps,  (as  Harry  and  his  friend 
did  on  the  present  occasion,)  shivering  in  the  cold,  the 
heart  sinks,  and  sad,  gloomy  thoughts  arise,  while  your 
eye  endeavors  to  pierce  the  thick  darkness,  which,  if  it 

SUCCefid   in   r\nir>n  en     ^^\..  _JJ-    x       ,i  /v.  .  -.       . 

" '""6  ^^,  ""ij  uuus  lo  me  enect  by  disclosing 

the  pallid  snow,  the  cold,  chilling  beams  of  the  moon,  the 


111' 


252 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


u 


I 

!.       .1 


wide  vistas  of  savage  scenery,  the  awe-inspiring  solitudes 
that  tell  of  your  isolated  condition,  or  stir  up  sad  memo- 
ries of  other*and  far  distant  scenes.  But  the  moment 
the  first  spark  of  fire  sends  a  fitful  gleam  of  light  up- 
wards, these  thoughts  and  feelings  take  wing  and  vanish. 
The  indistinct  scenery  is  rendered  utterly  invisible  by  the 
red  light,  which  attracts  and  rivets  the  eye  as  if  by  a 
species  of  fascination.  The  deep  shadows  of  the  woods 
immediately  around  you  grow  deeper  and  blacker  as  the 
flames  leap  and  sparkle  upwards,  causing  the  stems  of 
the  surrounding  trees,  and  the  foliage  of  the  overhanging 
branches,  to  stand  out  in  bold  relief,  bathed  in  a  ruddy 
glow,  which  converts  the  forest  chamber  into  a  snug 
homelike  place,  and  fills  the  mind  with  agreeable,  home- 
like feelings  and  meditations.  It  seems  as  if  the  spirit, 
in  the  one  case,  were  set  loose  and  etherealized  to  enable 
it  to  spread  itself  over  the  plains  of  cold,  Iftieerless,  illim- 
itable space,  and  left  to  dwell  upon  objects  too  wide  to 
grasp,  too  indistinct  to  comprehend; — while,  in  the  other, 
it  is  recalled  and  concentrated  upon  matters  c:rcumscribed 
and  congenial,  things  of  which  it  has  long  been  cognizant, 
and  which  it  can  appreciate  and  enjoy  without  the  effort 
of  a  thought. 

Some  such  thoughts  and  feelings  passed  rapidly  through 
the  minds  of  Harry  and  Hamilton,  while  the  accountiint 
struck  a  light  and  kindled  a  roaring  fire  of  logs,  which 
he  had  cut  and  arranged  there  on  a  previous  occasion. 
In  the  middle  of  the  space  thus  brilliantly  illuminated, 
the  snow  had  been  cleared  away  till  the  moss  was  uncov- 
ered, thus  leaving  a  hole  of  about  ten  feet  in  diameter. 
As  the  snow  was  quite  four  feet  deep,  the  hoJfe  was  sur- 
rounded with  a  pure  white  wall,  whose  heieht  Was  fur- 
ther  increased  by  the  masses,  thrown  out  in  the  process 


FROM  THE  FAB  NORTH. 


253 


of  digging,  to  a  height  of  nearly  six  feet.     At  one  end 
of  this  space  was  the  large  fire  which  had  just  been  kin- 
died,  and  which,  owing  to  the  intense  cold,  only  melted  a 
very  little  of  the  snow  in  its  immediate  neighborhood.  At 
the  other  end  lay  a  mass  of  flat  pine  branches,  which  were 
piled  up  so  thickly  as  to  form  a  pleasant,  elastic  couch, 
the  upper  end  being  slightly  raised  so  as  to  form  a  kind 
of  bolster,  while  the  lower  extended  almost  into  the  fire. 
Indeed,  the  branches  at  the  extremity  were  burnt  quite 
brown,  and  some  of  them  charred.     Beside  the  bolster 
lay  a  small  wooden  box,  a  round  tin  kettle,  an  iron  tea- 
kettle, two  tin  mugs,  a  hatchet,  and  a  large  bundle  tied 
up  in  a  green  blanket.     There  were  thus,  as  it  were,  two 
apartments,  one  within  the  other ;  namely,  the  outer  one, 
whose  walls  were  formed  of  tree-stems  and  thick  dark- 
ness, and  the  ceiling  of  green  boughs  ;   and  then  the 
mner  one  with  walls  of  snow,  that  sparkled  in  the  fire- 
light as  if  set  with  precious  stones,  and  a  carpet  of  ever- 
green branches. 

Within  this  latter  our  three  friends  were  soon  actively 
employed.  Poor  Hamilton's  moccasons  were  speedily 
removed,  and  his  friends,  going  down  on  their  knees, 
began  to  rub  his  feet  with  a  degree  of  energy  that  in- 
duced him  to  beg  for  mercy. 

"Mercy!"  exclaimed  the  accountant,  without  pausing 
for  an  instant,  "  faith,  it's  little  mercy  there  would  be  in 
stopping  just  now.  Rub  away,  Harry.  Don't  give  in. 
They're  coming  right  at  last." 

After  a  very  severe  rubbing,  the  heels  began  to  show 
symptoms  of  returning  vitality.  They  were  then  wrap- 
ped up  in  the  folds  of  a  thick  blanket,  and  held  suffi- 
ciently near  to  the  fire  to  orevpnf  nnv  ohonnf.  of  *^^  ^— * 
getting  at  them  again. 


254 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


"  Now,  my  boy,"  said  the  accountant,  as  he  eat  down 
to  enjoy  a  pipe  and  rest  himself  on  a  blanket,  which, 
along  with  the  one  wrapped  round  Hamilton's  feet,  had 
been  extracted  from  the  green  bundle  before  mentioned, 
— "  Now,  my  boy,  you'll  have  to  enjoy  yourself  here  as 
you  best  can  for  an  hour  or  two,  while  Harry  and  I  visit 
the  traps.  Would  you  like  supper  before  we  go,  or  shall 
we  have  it  on  our  return  ?  " 

"  Oh,  I'll  wait  for  it,  by  all  means,  till  you  return.  I 
don't  feel  a  bit  hungry  just  now,  and  it  will  be  much 
more  cheerful  to  have  it  after  all  your  work  is  over. 
Besides,  I  feel  my  feet  too  painful  to  enjoy  it  just 
now." 

"My  poor  fellow,"  said  Harry,  whose  heatt  smote 
him  for  having  been  disposed  at  first  to  treat  the  thing 
lightly,  "  Tm  really  sorry  for  you.  Would  you  not  like 
me  to  stay  with  you  ?  " 

"  By  no  means,"  replied  Hamilton,  quickly.  '•  You  can 
do  nothing  more  for  me,  Harry  ;  and  I  should  be  very 
sorry  if  you  missed  seeing  the  traps." 

"  Oh,  never  mind  the  traps.  I've  seen  traps,  and  set 
them  too,  fifty  times  before  now.  I'll  stop  with  you,  old 
boy,  I  will,"  said  Harry,  doggedly,  while  he  made  ar- 
rangements to  settle  down  for  the  evening. 

"  Well,  if  ^u  won't  go,  I  \*ill,"  said  Hamilton,  coolly, 
as  he  unwound  the  blanket  from  his  feet  and  began  to 
pull  on  his  socks. 

"  Bravo,  my  lad  !  "  exclaimed  the  accountant,  patting 
him  approvingly  on  the  back  ;  "  I  didn't  think  you  had 
half  so  much  pluck  in  you.  But  it  won't  do,  old  fellow. 
You're  in  my  castle  just  now,  and  must  obey  orders. 
You  couldn't  walk  half  a  mile  for  your  life ;  so  just  be 
pleased  to  pull  off  your  socks  again.     Besides,  I  want 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


255 


Harry  to  help  me  to  carry  up  my  foxes,  if  there  are  any  • 
so  get  ready,  sirrah  ! "  * 

«Ay,  ay,  captain,"  cried  Harry,  with  a  laugh,  while 
he  sprang  up  and  put  on  his  snow-shoes. 

"You  needn't  bring  your  gun,"  said  the  accountant, 
shakmg  the  ashes  from  his  pipe  as  he  prepared  to  de- 
part ;  «  but  you  may  as  well  shove  that  axe  into  your 
belt ;  you  may  want  it.  Now,  mind,  don't  roast  your 
feet,"  he  added,  turning  to  Hamilton. 

"Adieu  ! "  cried  Hnrry,  with  a  nod  and  a  smile,  as  he 
turned  to  go.     "  Take  care  the  bears  don't  find  you  out  " 

«No  fear;  good-by,  Harry,"  replied  Hamilton,  as  his 
two  friends  disappeared  in  the  wood  and  left  him  to  his 
solitary  meditations. 


256 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


CHAPTER  XIX. 


SHOWS  HOW   THE   ACCOUNTANT  AND   HARRY   SET  THEIR  TRAPS, 

AND  WHAT  CAME  OF  IT. 


THE  moon  was  still  up,  and  the  sky  less  overcast, 
when  our  amateur  trappers  quitted  the  encampment, 
and,  dege'"nding  to  the  mouth  of  the  little  brook,  took 
their  way  over  North  Eiver  in  the  direction  of  the 
accountant's  traps.  Being  somewhat  fatigued  both  in 
mind  and  body  by  the  unusual  exertions  of  the  night, 
neither  of  them  spoke  for  some  time,  but  continued  to 
walk  in  silente,  contemplatively  gazing  at  their  long 
shadows. 

"  Did  you  ever  trap  a  fox,  Harry  ?  "  said  the  account- 
ant, at  length. 

"  Yes,  I  used  to  set  traps  at  Red  River ;  but  the  foxes 
there  are  not  numerous,  and  are  so  closely  watched  by 
the  dogs,  that  they  have  become  suspicious.  I  caught 
but  few." 

"  Then  you  know  how  to  set  a  trap  ?  " 

"  Oh,  yes  !  I've  set  both  steel  and  snow  traps  often. 
You've  heard  of  old  Labonte,  who  used  to  carry  one  of 
the  winter  packets  from  Red  River  until  within  a  few 
years  back  ? " 

"  Yes,  I've  heard  of  him ;  his  name  is  in  my  leger, 
at  least  if  you  mean  Pierre  Labonte,  who  e..me  down 
last  fall  with  th  •  hrigade." 

^■The  same.  Y/eVi,  he  was  a  great  fri-  r-d  uf  mine.   His 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


257 


little  cabin  lay  about  two  miles  from  Fort  Garry,  and 
after  work  was  over  in  the  office,  I  used  to  go  down  to  sit 
and  chat  with  him  by  the  fire  ;  and  many  a  time  I  have 
sat  up  half  the  night  listening  to  him  as  he  recounted  his 
adventures.  The  old  man  never  tired  of  relating  them 
and  of  smoking  twist  tobacco.  Among  other  things,  he 
set  my  mind  upon  trapping,  by  giving  mc  an  account  of 
an  expedition  he  made,  when  quite  a  youth,  to  the  R^  7 
Mountains  ;  so  I  got  him  to  go  into  the  woods  and  te^ch 
me  how  to  set  traps  and  snares,  and  I  flatter  myself  he 
found  me  an  apt  pupil." 

"  Humph ! "  ejaculated  the  accountant ;  « I  have  no 
doubt  you  do  flatter  yourself.  But  here  we  are.  The 
traps  are  just  beyond  that  mound ;  so  look  out,  and  don't 
stick  your  ^ii^i  into  them." 

"  Hist ! "  exclaimed  Harry,  laying  his  hand  suddenly 
on  his  companion's  arm.  «  Do  you  see  <Aa<?"  pointing 
towards  the  place  where  the  traps  were  said  to  be. 

"  You  have  sharp  eyes,  younker ;  I  do  see  it,  now  that 
you  point  it  out.  It's  a  fox,  and  caught,  too,  as  I'm  a 
scrivener." 

"You're  in  luck  to-night,"  exclaimed  Harry,  eagerly. 
"  It's  a  silver  fox.     I  see  the  white  tip  on  its  tail." 

"  Nonsense,"  cried  the  accountant,  hastening  forward ; 
"  but  we'll  soon  settle  the  point." 

Harry  proved  to  be  right.  On  reaching  the  spot  they 
found  a  beautiful  black  fox,  caught  by  the  fore  leg  in  a 
steel  trap,  and  gazing  at  them  with  a  look  of  terror. 

The  skin  of  the  silver  fox  — so  called  from  a  slight 

sprinkling  of  pure  white  hairs  covering  its  otherwise  jet 

black  body  — is  the  most  valuable  fur  obtained  by  the 

fur  traders,  and  fetches  an  enormous  price  in  the  British 

""""■-"  —  °"  mucu  u«  Luirry  pounas  sterling  being  fre- 

17 


258 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


^11 


cfciaWi 


quently  obtained  for  a  single  skin.  The  foxes  vary  in 
color  from  jet  black,  which  is  the  most  valuable,  to  a 
light  silvery  hue,  and  are  hailed  as  great  prizes  by  the 
Indians  and  trappers  when  they  are  so  fortunate  as  to 
catch  them.  They  are  not  numerous,  however,  and  be- 
ing exceedingly  wary  and  suspicious,  are  difficult  to 
catch.  It  may  be  supposed,  therefore,  that  our  friend 
the  accountant  ran  to  secure  his  prize  with  some  eager- 
ness. 

"  Now  then,  my  beauty,  don't  shrink,"  he  said,  as  the 
poor  fox  backed,  at  his  approach,  as  far  as  the  chain 
which  fastened  the  trap  to  a  log  of  wood  would  permit ; 
and  then,  standing  at  bay,  showed  a  formidable  row  of 
teeth.  That  grin  was  its  last ;  another  moment,  and  the 
handle  of  the  accountant's  axe  stretched  it  lifeless  on  the 
snow. 

"Isn't  it  a  beauty!"  cried  he,  surveying  the  animal 
with  a  look  of  triumphant  pleasure  ;  and  then,  feeling  as 
if  he  had  compromised  his  dignity  a  little  by  betraying 
so  much  glee,  he  added,  "  But  come  now,  Harry,  we 
must  see  to  the  other  traps.     It's  getting  late." 

The  others  were  soon  visited ;  but  no  more  foxes  were 
caught.  However,  the  accountant  set  them  both  off  to 
see  that  all  was  right ;  and  then  readjusting  one  himself, 
told  Harry  to  set  the  other,  in  order  to  clear  himself  of 
the  charge  of  boasting. 

Harry,  nothing  loath,  went  down  on  his  knees  to  do  so. 

The  steel  trap  used  for  catching  foxes  is  of  exactly  the 
same  form  as  the  ordinary  rat-trap,  with  this  difference, 
that  it  has  two  springs  instead  of  one,  is  considerably 
larger,  and  has  no  teeth,  as  these  latter  would  only  tend 
to  spoil  the  skin.     Owing  to  the  strength  of  the  springs, 

o     irraffir     ati^nntr    offnft    {a    •no/iitii»»o/1     fn    oot     t\*o     fvop      ann 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


259 


we 


anA 


clumsy  fellows  frequently  catch  the  tails  of  their  coats  or 
the  ends  of  their  belts,  and,  not  unfrequently,  the  ends  of 
their  fingers,  in  their  awkward  attempts.     Having  set  it 
without  any  of  the  above  untoward  accidents  occurring, 
Harry  placed  it  gently  on  a  hole  which  he  had  previously 
scraped ;  placing  it  in  such  a  manner  that  the  jaws  and 
plate,  or  trigger,  were  a  hair's  breadth  below  the  level  of 
the  snow.     After  this  he  spread  over  it  a  very  thin  sheet 
of  paper,  observing  as  he  did  so  that  hay  or  grass  was 
preferable ;  but  as  there  was  none  at  hand,  paper  would 
do.     Over  this  he  sprinkled  snow  very  lightly,  until  every 
vestige  of  the  trap  was  concealed  from  view,  and  the 
whole  was  made  quite  level  with  the  surrounding  plain, 
so  that  even  the  accountant  himpclf,  after  he  had  once 
removed  his  eyes  from  it,  could  not  tell  where  it  lay. 
Some  chips  of  a  frozen  ptarmigan  were  then  scattered 
around  the  spot,  and  a  piece  of  wood  left  to  mark  its 
whereabouts.     The  bait  is  always  scattered  round  and 
not  on  the  trap,  as  the  fcx,  in  running  from  one  piece  to 
another,  is  almost  certain  to  set  his  foot  on  it,  and  so  get 
caught  by  the  leg ;  whereas,  were  the  bait  placed  upon 
the  trap,  the  fox  would  be  apt  t©  get  caught  while  in  the 
act  of  eating,  by  the  snout,  which,  being  wedge-like  in 
form,  is  easily  dragged  out  of  its  gripe. 

"  Now  then,  what  say  you  to  going  farther  out  on  the 
river,  and  making  a  snow-trap  for  white  foxes?"  said 
the  accountant.  «  We  shall  still  have  time  to  do  so  be- 
fore the  moon  sets," 

"Agreed,"  cried  Harry.     «*  Come  along." 
Without  further  parley,  they  left  the  spot  and  stretched 
out  towards  the  sea. 

The  snow  on  the  river  was  quite  hard  on  its  surface, 
so  that  snow-shoes  being  unnecessary,  they  carried  them 


260 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


ff 


.Miil^^ 


£ini&flS  I 


over  their  shoulders,  and  advanced  much  more  rapidly. 
It  is  true  that  their  road  waa  a  good  deal  broken, 
and  jagged  pieces  of  ice  protruded  their  sharp  corners 
80  as  to  render  a  HftV  attention  necessary  in  walking ; 
but  one  or  two  severe  bumps  on  their  toes  made  our 
friends  sensitively  alive  to  these  minor  dangers  of  the 
way. 

"  There  goes  a  pack  of  them ! "  exclaimed  Harry, 
as  a  troop  of  white  foxes  scampered  past,  gambolling, 
as  they  went,  and,  coming  suddenly  to  a  halt  at  a 
short  distance,  wheeled  about  and  sat  down  on  their 
haunches,  apparently  resolved  to  have  a  good  look 
at  the  strangers  who  dared  to  venture  into  their  wild 
domain. 

"  Oh  !  they  are  the  most  stupid  brutes  alive,"  said  the 
accountant,  as  he  regarded  the  pack  with  a  look  of  con- 
tempt. "  I've  seen  one  of  them  sit  down  and  look  at  me 
while  I  set  a  trap  right  before  his  eyes ;  and  I  had  nut 
got  a  hundred  yards  from  the  spot  when  a  yell  informed 
me  that  the  gentleman's  curiosity  had  led  him  to  put  his 
foot  right  into  it." 

"Indeed!"  exclaimed  Harry.  "I  had  no  idea  that 
they  were  so  tame.  Certainly,  no  other  kind  of  fox 
would  do  that." 

"  No,  that's  certain.  But  these  fellows  have  done  it  to 
me  again  and  again.  I  shouldn't  wonder  if  we  got  one 
to-night  in  the  very  same  way.  I'm  sure,  by  the  look  of 
these  rascals,  that  they  would  do  anything  of  a  reckless, 
stupid  nature  just  now." 

"  Had  we  not  better  make  our  trap  here,  then  ?  There 
is  a  point,  not  fifty  yards  off,  with  trees  on  it  large  enough 
for  our  purpose." 

"  Yes.  it  will  do  verv  well  here  :  now.  then,  to  work. 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


261 


Go  to  the  wood,  Harry,  and  fetch  a  log  or  two,  while  I 
cut  out  the  slabs."     So  saying,  the  accountant  drew  the 
axe  which  he  always  carried  in  his  belt;    and,  while 
Harry  entered  the  wood  and  began  to  hew  off  the  branch 
of  a  tree,  he  proceeded,  as  he  had  said,  to  «  cut  out  the 
slabs."     With  the  point  of  his  knife  he  first  of  all  marked 
out  an  oblong  in  the  snow,  then  cut  down  three  or  four 
inches  with  the  axe,  and,  putting  the  handle  under  the 
cut,  after  the  manner  of  a  lever,  detached  a  thick  ^olid  slab 
of  about  three  inches  thick,  which,  although  not  so  hard 
as  ice,  was  quite  hard  enough  for  the  purpose  for  which 
it  was  intended.     He  then  cut  two  similar  slabs,  and  a 
smaller  one,  the  same  in  thickness  and  breadth,  but  only 
half  the  length.     Hav.ng  accomplished  this,  he  raised 
himself  to  rest  a  little,  and  observed    that   Harry  ap- 
proached, staggering  under  a  load  of  wood,  and  that  the 
foxes  were  still  sitting  on  their  haunches,  gazing  at  him 
with  a  look  of  deep  interest. 

"If  I  only  had  my  gun  here!"  thought  he.  But 
not  having  it,  he  merely  shook  his  fist  at  them,  stooped 
down  again  and  resumed  his  work.  With  Harry's  as- 
sistance the  slabs  were  placed  in  such  a  way  as  to  form  a 
sort  of  box  or  house,  having  one  end  of  it  open.  This 
was  further  plastered  with  soft  snow  at  the  joinings,  and 
banked  up  in  such  a  way  that  no  animal  could  break 
into  it  easily,  —  at  least  such  an  attempt  would  be  so 
difficult  a*^  to  make  an  entrance  into  the  interior  by 
the  open  side  much  more  probable.  When  this  was 
finished,  they  took  the  logs  that  Harry  had  cut  and 
carried  with  so  much  difficulty  from  the  wood,  and 
began  to  lop  off  the  smaller  branches  and  twigs.  One 
large  log  was  placed  across  the  opening  of  the  trap, 
while  the  others  were  piled  on  one  end  of  it  so  as  to 


262 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


fiMli 


press  it  down  with  their  weight.  Three  pmall  pieces 
of  stick  were  now  prepared  ;  two  of  them  beinj*  about 
half  a  foot  long,  and  the  other  about  a  foot.  On  the  long 
piece  of  stick  the  breast  of  a  ptarmigan  was  fixed  as  a 
bait,  and  two  notches  cut,  the  one  at  the  end  of  it,  the 
other  about  four  or  five  inches  further  down.  All  was 
now  ready  to  set  the  trap. 

♦*  Raise  the  log  now  while  I  place  the  trigger,"  said 
Harry,  kneeling  down  in  front  of  the  door,  while  the 
accountant,  as  directed,  lifted  up  the  log  on  which  the 
others  lay  so  as  to  allow  his  companion  to  introduce  the 
bait-stick,  in  such  a  manner  as  to  support  it,  while  the 
slightest  pull  oi:  the  bait  would  set  the  stick  with  the 
notches  free,  and  thus  permit  the  log  to  fall  on  the  back 
of  the  fox,  whose  effort  to  reach  the  bait  would  necessarily 
place  him  under  it. 

While  Harry  was  thus  engaged,  the  accountant  stood 
up  and  looked  towards  the  foxes.  They  had  approached 
so  near  in  their  curiosity,  that  he  was  induced  to  throw 
his  axe  frantically  at  the  foremost  of  the  pack.  This  set 
them  galloping  off,  but  they  soon  halted  and  sat  down  as 
before. 

"  What  aggravating  brutes  they  are,  to  be  sure  !  "  said 
Harry,  with  a  laugh,  as  his  companion  returned  with  the 
hatchet. 

"  Humph !  yes,  but  we'll  be  upsides  with  them  yet. 
Come  along  into  the  wood,  and  I  wager  that  in  ten  min- 
utes we  shall  have  one." 

^  They  immediately  hurried  towards  the  wood,  but  had 
not  walked  fifty  paces,  when  they  were  startled  by  a  loud 
yell  behind  them. 

"  Dear  me  !  "  exclaimed  the  accountant,  while  he  and 
Karry  turned  round  with  a  start.     *•  It  cannot  surely  be 


FROM  THE  FAB  NOBTH. 


268 


possible  that  they  have  gone  in  already."  A  loud  howl 
followed  the  remark,  and  the  whole  pack  fled  over  the 
plain  like  snowdrift  and  disappeared. 

«  Ah  !  that's  a  pity,  something  must  have  scared  them, 
to  make  them  take  wing  like  that.  However,  we'll  get 
one  to-morrow  for  certain ;  so  come  along,  lad,  let  us 
make  for  the  camp." 

«  Not  80  fast,"  replied  the  other ;  «  if  you  hadn't  pored 
over  the  big  leger  till  you  were  blind,  you  would  see 
that  there  is  one  prisoner  already." 

This  proved  to  be  the  case.  On  returning  to  the 
spot  they  found  an  arctic  fox  in  his  last  gasp,  lying 
flat  on  the  snow,  with  the  heavy  log  across  his  back, 
which  seemed  to  be  broken.  A  slight  tap  on  the  snout 
with  the  accountant's  deadlj  axe-handle  completed  his 
destruction. 

«  We're  in  luck  to-night,"  cried  Harry,  as  he  kneeled 
again  to  reset  the  trap.  « But  after  all,  these  white 
brutes,  are  worth  very  little ;  I  fancy  a  hundred  of 
their  skins  would  not  be  worth  the  black  one  vou  sot 
first."  ^       ^ 

"  Be  quick,  Harry.  The  moon  is  almost  down,  and 
poor  Hamilton  will  think  that  the  polar  bears  have  got 
hold  of  us." 

"  All  right !  now  then,  step  out ;"  and,  glancing  once 
more  at  the  trap  to  see  that  all  was  properly  arranged, 
the  two  friends  once  more  turned  their  faces  homewards, 
and  travelled  over  the  snow  with  rapid  strides. 

The  moon  had  just  set,  leaving  the  desolate  scene  in  > 
deep  gloom,  so  that  they  could  scarcely  find  their  way  to 
the  forest ;  and,  when  they  did  at  last  reach  its  shelter, 
the  night  became  so  intensely  dark  that  they  had  almost 
to  grope  their  way,  and  would   certainly  have   lost    it 


1  i 


I  cVMni!  VI 


264 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


altogether  were  it  not  for  the  accountant's  thorough 
knowledge  of  the  locality.  To  add  to  their  discom- 
fort, as  they  stumbled  on,  snow  began  to  fall;  and, 
ere  long,  a  pretty  steady  breeze  of  wind  drove  it  sharply 
in  their  faces.  However,  this  mattered  but  little,  as 
they  penetrated  deeper  in  among  the  trees,  which  proved 
a  complete  shelter  both  from  wind  and  snow.  An 
hour's  march  brought  them  to  the  mouth  of  the  brovk, 
although  half  that  time  would  have  been  sufficient 
had  it  been  daylight,  and,  a  few  minutes  later,  they 
had  the  satisfaction  of  hearing  Hamilton's  voice  hail- 
ing them  as  they  pushed  aside  the  bushes,  and  sprang 
into  the  cheerful  light  of  their  encampment. 

"Hurrah!"  shouted  Harry,  as  he  leaped  into  the 
space  before  the  fire,  and  flung  the  two  foxes  at  Ham- 
ilton's feet.  "What  do  you  think  of  that,  old  fellow? 
How  are  the  heels  ?     Rather  sore  ?  eh  !     Now  for  the 

kettle.     '  Polly,  put  the  kettle  on,  we'll  all  have '. 

My  eye!   where's    the   kettle,  Hamilton?      Have   you 
eaten  it  ?  " 

"  If  you  compose  yourself  a  little,  Harry,  and  look  at 
the  fire,  you'll  see  it  boiling  there." 

"  Man,  what  a  chap  you  are  for  making  unnecessary 
speeches.     Couldn't  you  tell  me  to  look  at  the  fire,  with- 
out the  preliminary  piece  of  advice  to  compose  myself? 
Besides,  you  talk  nonsense,  for  I'm  composed  already,  of" 
blood,  bones,  flesh,  sinews,  fat,  and " 

"Humbug,"  interrupted  the  accountant.  "Lend  a 
hand  to  get  supper,  you   young  goose ! " 

"And  so,"  continued  Harry,  not  noticing  the  inter- 
ruption, "  I  cannot  be  expected,  nor  is  it  necessary,  to 
compose  myself  over  again.  But,  to  be  serious,"  he  added, 
"  it  was  very  kind  and  considerate  of  you,  Hammy,  to 


FKOM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


265 


put  on  the  kettle,  when  your  heels  were  in  a  manner 
uppermost." 

«  Oh !  it  was  nothing  at  all ;  my  heels  are  much  bet- 
ter, thank  you,  and  it  kept  me  from  wearying." 

"  Poor  fellow,"  said  the  accountant,  while  he  busied 
himself  in  preparing  their  evening  meal,  «  you  must  be 
quite  ravenous  by  this  time,  at  least  I  am,  which  is  the 
same  thing." 

Supper  was  soon  ready.  It  consisted  of  a  large  ket- 
tle of  tea,  a  lump  of  pemmican,  a  handful  of  broken  bis- 
cuit, and  three  ptarmigan ;  all  of  which  were  produced 
from  the  small  wooden  box  which  the  accountant  was 
wont  to  call  his  camp-larder.  The  ptarmigan  had  been 
shot  two  weeks  before,  and  carefully  laid  up  for  future 
use,  the  intense  frost  being  a  sufficient  guarantee  for 
their  preservation  for  many  months,  had  that  been  de- 
sired. 

.  It  would  have  done  you  good,  reader,  (supposing  you 
to  be  possessed  of  sympathetic  feelings,)  to  have  wit- 
nessed those  three  nor'westers  enjoying  their  supper  in 
the  snowy  camp.     The  fire  had  been  replenished  with 
logs  till  it  roared  and  crackled  again,  as  if  it  were  en- 
dued with  a  vicious  spirit,  and  wished  to  set  the  very 
snow  in  flames.     The  walls  shone  like  alabaster  studded 
with  diamonds,  while  the  green  boughs  overhead  and  the 
stems  around  were  of  a  deep  red  color  in  the  light  of 
the  fierce  blaze.    The  tea-kettle  hissed,  fumed,  and  boiled 
over  into  the  fire.     A  mass  of  pemmican  simmered  in 
the  lid  in  front  of  it.     Three  pannikins  of  tea  reposed  on 
the  green  branches,  their  refreshing  contents  sending  up 
httle  clouds  of  steam,  while  th<>  ntarmigan,  now  split  up, 
skewered,  and  roasted,  were  being  heartily  devoured  by 
our  three  hungry  friends. 


266 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


The  pleasures  that  fall  to  the  lot  of  man  are  tran- 
sient. Doubtless  they  are  numerous  and  oft-recurring, 
— still  they  are  transient,  and  so  —  supper  came  to  an 
end. 

« Ndw  for  a  pipe,"  said  the  accountant,  disposing  his 
limbs  at  full  length  on  a  green  blanket.  "  O  thou  pre- 
cious weed,  what  should  we  do  without  thee  ! " 

"  Smoke  tea,  to  be  sure,"  answered  Harry. 

"  Ah !  true,  it  is  possible  to  exist  on  a  pipe  of  tea- 
leaves  for  ?  ^f ,  -,  but  only  for  a  time.  I  tried  it  myself 
once,  in  -  ^sj.eration,  when  I  ran  short  of  tobacco  on  a 
journey,  and  found  it  execrable,  but  better  than  noth- 
ing." 

"  Pity  we  can't  join  you  in  that,"  remarked  Harry. 

"True,  but  perhaps  since  you  cannot  pipe,  it  might 
prove  an  agreeable  diversification  to  dance." 

"  Thank  you,  I'd  rather  not,"  said  Harry ;  «  and  as  for 
Hamilton,  I'm  convinced  that  Us  mind  is  made  up  on 
the  subject.     How  go  the  heels  now  ?  " 

"Thank  you,  pretty  well,"  he  replied,  reclining  his 
head  on  the  pine  branches,  and  extending  his  smitten 
members  towards  the  fire.  "  I  think  they  will  be  quite 
well  in  the  morning." 

« It  is  a  curious  thing,"  remarked  the  accountant,  in  a 
soliloquizing  tone,  "  that  soft  fellows  never  smoke  ! " 

"I  beg  your  pardon,"  said  Harry;  "I've  often  seen 
hot  loaves  smoke,  and  they're  soft  enough  fellows,  in  all 
conscience ! " 

"Ah!"  sighed  the  accountant,  "that  reminds  me  of 
poor  Peterkin,  who  was  so  soft  that  he  went  by  the  name 
of  *  Butter.'  Did  you  ever  hear  of  what  he  did  the 
summer  before  last  with  an  Indian's  head  ?  " 

"  No,  never ;  what  was  it  ?  " 


i 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


267 


« I'll  tell  you  the  story,"  replied  the  accountant,  draw- 
ing a  few  vigorous  whiffs  of  smoke,  to  prevent  his  pipe 
going  out  while  he  spoke. 

As  the  story  in  question,  however,  depicts  a  new 
phase  of  society  in  the  woods,  it  deserves  a  chapler  to 
itself. 


268 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


'  SOT '' 


CHAPTER  XX. 


THE  ACCOUNTANT'S  STORY. 


SPRING  had  passed  away ;  and  York  Fort  was  filled 
with  all  the  bustle  and  activity  of  summer.  Brig- 
ades came  pouring  in  upon  us  with  furs  from  the  interior, 
and  as  every  boat  brought  a  C.  T.  or  a  clerk,  our  mess- 
table  began  to  overflow. 

"You've  not  seen  the  summer  mess-room  filled  yet, 
Hamilton.     That's  a  treat  in  store  for  you." 

"  It  was  pretty  full  last  autumn,  I  think,"  suggested 
Hamilton,  "  at  the  time  I  arrived  from  England." 

"  Full !  why,  man,  it  was  getting  to  feel  quite  lonely  at 
that  time.  I've  seen  more  than  fifty  sit  down  to  table 
there,  and  it  was  worth  going  fifty  miles  to  hear  the  row 
they  kicked  up.  Telling  stories  without  end  (and  some- 
times without  foundation)  about  their  wild  doings  in  the 
interior,  where  every  man-jack  of  them,  having  spent  at 
least  eight  months  almost  in  perfect  solitude,  they  hadn't 
had  a  chance  of  letting  their  tongues  go  till  they  came 
down  here.  But  to  proceed.  When  the  ship  came  out 
in  the  fall,  she  brought  a  batch  of  new  clerks,  and  among 
them  was  this  miserable  chap  Peterkin,  whom  we  soon 
nicknamed  Butter.  He  was  the  softest  fellow  I  ever 
knew,  (far  worse  than  you,  Hamilton,)  and  he  hadn't 
been  here  a  week  before  the  wild  blades  from  the  inte- 
rior, who  were  bursting  with  fun  and  mischief,  began  to 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH.  269 

play  off  all  kinds  of  practical  jokes  upon  him.      The 
very  first  ddy  he  sat  down  at  the  mes.«-table,  our  wonhy 
governor  (who,  you  are  aware,  detests  practical  jokes) 
played  him  a  trick,  quite  unintentionally,  which  raised  a 
laugh  against  him  for  many  a  day.     You  know  that  old 
Mr.  Rogan  is  rather  absent  at  times ;  well,  the  first  day 
that  Peterkin  came  to  mess,  (it  was  breakfast,)  the  old 
governor  asked  him,  in  a  patronizing  sort  of  way,  to  sit 
at  his  right  hand.    Accordingly,  down  he  sat;  and  having 
never,  I  fancy,  been  away  from  his  mother's  apron-string 
before,  he  seemed  to  feel  very  uncomfortable,  especially 
as  he  was  regarded  as  a  sort  of  novelty.     The  first  thing 
he  did  was  to  capsize  his  plate  into  his  lap,  which  set  thp 
youngsters  at  the  lower  end  of  the  tabic  into  suppressed 
fits  of  laughter.     However,  he   was  eating  the  leg  of  a 
dry  grouse  at  the  time,  so  it  didn't  make  much  of  a  mess. 
"  '  Try  som(.  fish,  Peterkin,'  said  Mr.  "Rogan,  kindiy 
^seemg  that  the  youth  was  ill  at  ease.     ^  That  old  grouse 
is  tough  enough  to  break  your  knife.' 

" 'A  very  rough  passage,'  replied  the  youngster,  whose 
mmd  was  quite  confused  by  Vp^  .ig  the  captain  of  the 
sh,p,  who  sat  next  to  him,  giving  to  his  next  neighbor 
a  graphic  account  of  the  voyage  in  a  very  loud  key  — 
'I  mean,  if  you  please,  no,  thank  you,'  he  stammered, 
endeavonn/-  to  correct  himself. 

"  'Ah !  a  cup  of  tea,  perhaps.    Here,  Anderson'  (turn- 
ing to  the  butler,)  '  a  cup  of  tea  to  Mr.  Peterkin.' 
"  The  butler  obeyed  the  order. 

"  'And,  here,  m  my  cup,'  said  old  Rogan,  interrupt- 
ing himself  ii.  av;  earnest  conversation,  into  which  he 
had  plunged  wi^^  the  gentleman  on  his  left  hand.  As 
he  said  this,  he  lifted  his  cup  to  empty  the  slops,  but 
without   paying  attention  to  what  he  was  doin-.     As 


in 


«! 


270 


SNOWFLAKES  AND   SUNBEAMS 


luck  wouM  have  it,  the  slop-basin  was  not  at  hand,  and 
Peterkin's  cup  was,  so  he  emptied  it  innocently  into  that. 
Peterkin  hadn't  courage  to  arrest  his  hand ;  apd  when 
the  deed  was  done,  he  looked  timidly  round  to  see  if  the 
action  had  been  observed.  Nearly  half  the  table  had 
Been  it,  but  they  pretended  ignorance  of  the  thing  so 
well,  that  he  thought  no  one  had  observed,  and  so  went 
quietly  on  with  hi,?  breakfast,  and  drank  the  tea  I  But 
I  am  wandering  from  my  story.  Well,  about  this  time 
there  was  a  you^g  Indian  who  shot  himself  accidentally 
in  the  woods,  and  was  brought  to  the  fort  to  see  if  any- 
thing could  be  done  (or  him.  The  doctor  examined  his 
wound,  and  found  that  the  ball  had  passed  through  the 
upper  part  <.f  his  right  arm,  and  the  middle  of  his  right 
thigh,  breaking  'he  bone  of  the  latter  in  its  passage.  It 
was  an  extraordinary  shot  for  a  man  to  put  into  himself, 
for  it  would  have  been  next  to  impossible  even  for  an- 
other man  to  have  done  it,  unless  the  Indian  had  been 
creeping  on  all  fours.  When  he  was  able  to  speak, 
ho  /ever,  he  explained  the  mystery.  While  running 
through  a  rough  part  of  the  wood  after  a  wounded  bird, 
he  stumbled,  and  fell  on  all  fours.  The  gun,  which  he 
was  carrying  over  his  shoulder,  holding  it,  as  the  Indians 
usually  do,  by  the  muzzle,  flew  forward,  and  turned  right 
round  as  he  fell,  so  that  the  mouth  of  it  was  presented 
towards  him.  Striking  against  the  stem  of  a  tree,  it 
exploded,  and  shot  him  through  the  arm  and  leg,  as 
described,  ere  he  had  time  to  rise.  A  comrade  carried 
him  to  his  lodge,  and  his  wife  brought  him  in  a  canoe  to 
the  fort.  For  three  or  four  days  the  doctor  had  hopes  of 
him,  but  at  last  he  began  to  sink,  and  died  on  the  sixth 
day  after  his  arrival.  His  wife,  and  one  or  two  friends, 
buried  him  in  our  graveyard,  which  lies,  as  you  know, 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


271 


'on  that  lonely  looking  point  just  below  the  powder  mag- 
azine.    For  several  months  previous  to  this,  our  worthy 
doctor  had  been  making  strenuous  efforts  to  get  an  In- 
dian skull  to  send  home  to  one  of  his  medical  friends, 
but  without  success.     The  Indians  could  not  be  prevailed 
upon  to  cut  off  the  head  of  one  of  their  dead  countrymen 
for  love  or  money,  and  the  doctor  had  a  dislike  to  the 
idea  (I  suppose)  of  killing  one  for  himself;   but  now 
here  was  a  golden  opportunity.     The  Indian  was  buried 
near  to  the  fort,  and  his  relatives  had  gone  away  to  their 
tents  again.     What  was  to  prevent  his  being  dug  up  ? 
The  docor  brooded  over  the  thing  for  one  hour  and  a 
half,  (being  exactly  the  length  of  time  required  to  smoke 
out  his  large   Turkey  pipe,)    and  then    sauntered   into 
Wilson's  room.     Wilson  was  busy,  as  usual,  at  some  of 
his  mechanical  contrivances. 

"  Thrusting  his  hands  deep  into  his  breeches-pockets, 
and  seating  himself  on  an  old  sea-chest,  he  began,  — 
" '  1  say,  Wilson,  will  you  do  me  a  favor  ? ' 
" '  That   depends  entirely  on  what  the   favor  is,'  he 
replied,  without  raising  his  head  from  his  work. 

" '  I  want  you  to  help  me  to  cut  off  an  Indian's  head ' ' 
" '  Then  I  wonH  do  you  the  fuvor ;  but,  pray,  don't 
humbug  me  just  now,  I'm  busy.' 

" '  No;  but  I'm  serious,  and  I  can't  get  it  done  with- 
out help,  and  I  know  you're  an  obliging  fellow.  Besides, 
the  savage  is  dead,  and  has  no  manner  of  use  for  his 
head  now.' 

"  Wilson  turned  round  with  a  look  of  intelligence  on 
hearing  this.  ^ 

" '  Ha! '  he  exclaimed,  'I  see  what  you're  up  to;  but 
1  don't  half  like  it.  In  the  first  place,  his  friends  would 
be  ternbly  cut  up  if  they  heard  of  it ;  and  then,  I've  no 


272 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


son  of  aptitude  for  the  work  of  a  resurrectionist ;  and 
then,  if  it  got  wind,  we  should  never  hear  the  last  of  it ; 
and  then * 

" '  And  then,'  interrupted  the  doctor,  *  it  would  be 
adding  to  the  light  of  medical  science,  you  unaspiring 
monster.' 

" '  A  light,'  retorted  Wilson,  *  which,  in  passing 
through  some  members  of  the  medical  profession,  is  to- 
tally absorbed,  and  reproduced  in  th<J  shape  of  impene- 
trable darkness.' 

" '  Now,  don't  object,  my  dear  fellow ;  you  know  you're 
going  to  do  it,  so  don't  coquette  with  me,  but  agree  at 

once.' 

" "  Well,  I  consent,  upon  one  condition.' 

"  <  And  what  is  that  ? ' 

" '  That  you  do  not  play  any  practical  jokes  on  me  with 
the  head  when  you  have  got  it.' 

"  '  Agreed  ! '  cried  the  doctor,  laughing  ;  '  I  give  you 
my  word  of  honor.  Now,  he  has  been  buried  three  days 
already,  so  we  must  set  about  it  at  once.  Fortunately 
the  graveyard  is  composed  of  a  sandy  soil,  so  he'll  keep 
for  some  tirae  yet.' 

"  The  two  worthies  then  entered  into  a  deep  consul- 
tation as  to  how  they  were  to  set  about  this  deed  of  dark- 
ness. It  was  arranged  that  Wilson  should  take  his  gun, 
and  sally  forth  a  little  before  dark,  as  if  he  were  bent  on 
an  hour's  sport,  and,  not  forgetting  his  game-bag,  pro- 
ceed to  the  graveyard,  where  the  doctor  engaged  to  meet 
him  with  a  couple  of  spades  and  a  dark  lantern.  Accord- 
ingly, next  evening,  Mr.  Wilson,  true  to  his  promise, 
shouldered  his  gun,  and  sallied  forth. 

"  It  soon  became  an  intensely  dark  night.  Not  a  sin- 
gle star  shone  forth  to  illumine  the  track  along  which  he 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


273 


stumblo.l.     Everything  around  was  silent  and  dark,  and 
...ngenial  with  the  work  on   which  he  was  bent.     But 
W.lson's  heart  beat  a  little  more  rapidly  than  usual.    He 
IS  a  bold  enough  man,  as  you  know,  but  boldness  goes  for 
nothing  when  superstition  comes  into  play.    However  he 
trudged  along  fearlessly  enough  tiU  he  came  to  the  thick 
woo<ls  ju.t  below  the  fort,  into  which  he  entered  with 
something  of  a  qualm.     Scarcelv  had  he  set  foot  on  the 
narrow  track  that  leads  to  the  graveyard,  when  he  ran 
slap  agamst  the  post  that  stands  there,  but  which,  in  his 
trep.dat.on,  he  had  entirely  forgotten.     This  quite  upset 
the  small  amount  of  courage  that  remained,  and  he  has 
smce  confessed  that  if  he  had  not  had  the  hope  of  meet- 
mg  with  the  doctor  in  a  few  minutes,  he  would   have 
turned  round  and  fled  at  that  moment. 

-  Recovering  a  little  from  this  accident,  he  hurried 

forward,  but  with  more  caution,  for,  although  the  nic^ht 

seemed  as  dark  as  could  possibly  be  while  he  was  cro^'ss- 

ing  the  open  country,  it  became  speedily  evident  that 

there  were  several  shades  of  darkness  which  he  had  not 

yet  conceived.     In  a  few  minutes  he  came  to  the  creek 

that  runs  past  the  graveyard,  and  here  again  his  nerves 

got  another  shake,  for,  slipping  his  foot  while  in  the  act 

of  commencing  the  descent,  he  fell  and  rolled  heavily  to 

the  bottom,  making  noise  enough  in  his  fall  to  scare  away 

all  the  ghosts  in  the  country.     With  a  palpitating  heart, 

poor  Wilson  gathered  himself  up,  and  searched  for  his 

gun  which  fortunately  had  not  been  injured,  and  then 

commenced  to  climb  the  opposite  bank,  starting  at  every 

twig  that  snapped  under  his  feet.     On  reaching  the  level 

ground  again,  he  breathed  a  little  more  freely,  and  hur- 

ned  forward  with  more  speed  than  caution.     Suddenly 


f 


i 


H;  ' 


'■I- 


274 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


he  came  into  violent  contact  with  a  figure,  which  uttered 
a  loud  growl  as  Wihon  reeled  backwards. 

"  '  Back,  you  monster,*  he  cried,  with  a  liyster*"al  yell, 
'  or  I'll  blow  your  brains  out.' 

"  '  It'b  little  good  that  would  do  ye,'  cried  the  doctor,  as 
he  came  forward ;  '  why,  what  the  deuse  did  you  take  me 
for  ?  You've  nearly  knocked  out  my  brains  us  it  is,'  and 
the  doctor  rubbed  his  foreliead  ruetully. 

"  '  Oh  !  it's  you^  doctor,'  said  Wilson,  i1<  sling  as  if  a  ton 
weight  had  been  lifted  off  his  heart ;  '  I  verily  thought  it 
was  the  ghost  of  the  poor  fellow  we're  going  to  disturb. 
I  do  think  you  had  better  give  it  up.  Mischief  will  come 
of  it,  you'll  see.' 

"*  Nonsense,' cried  the  doctor,  *  don't  be  a  goose,  but 
let's  to  work  at  once.  "Why,  I've  got  half  the  thing  dug 
up  already.'  So  saying,  he  led  the  way  to  the  grave,  in 
which  there  was  a  large  opening.  Setting  the  lantern 
down  by  the  side  of  it,  the  two  seized  their  spades  and 
began  to  dig  as  if  in  earnest. 

"  The  fact  is  that  the  doctor  was  nearly  as  frightened 
as  Wilson,  and  he  afterwards  confessed  to  me  that  it  was 
an  immense  relief  to  him  when  he  heard  him  fall  down 
the  bank  of  the  creek,  and  knew  by  the  growl  he  gave 
that  it  was  he. 

"  In  about  half  an  hour  the  doctor's  spade  struck  upon 
the  coffin-jtid,  which  gave  forth  a  hollow  sound. 

" '  Now,  then,  we're  about  done  with  it,'  said  he,  stand- 
ing up  to  wipe  away  the  perspiration  that  triciled  down 
his  face.     '  Take  the  axe  and  force  up  the  lid,  i*'s  only 

fixed  with  common  nails,  while  I '  He  did  not  Hnish 

the  sentence,  but  drew  a  large  scalping-knife  froii'  a 
sheath  which  hung  at  his  belt. 

"  Wilson  shuddered  and  obeyed.     A  good  wrench 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


275 


caused  the  lid  to  start,  and  while  he  held  it  partially 
open,  the  doctor  inserted  the  knife.  For  five  minutes  he 
continued  to  twist  and  work  his  arms,  muttering  between 
his  teeth,  every  now  and  then,  that  he  was  a  *  tough 
subject,'  while  the  crnokling  of  bones  and  othor  disagree- 
able  sounds  struck  upon  the  horrified  ears  of  his  com- 
panion. 

"'All  ri  ht;  he  exclaimed  at  last,  as  he  dragged  a 
round  object  from  the  coffin  and  let  down  the  lid  with  a 
bang,  at  the  same  time  {)lacing  the  savage's  head  with  ita 
ghastly  features  full  in  the  blaze  of  the  lantern. 

«  '  Now,  then,  close  m/  said  he,  jumping  out  of  the 
hole,  and  shovelling  in  the  earth. 

« In  a  few  minutes  they  had  filled  the  grave  up  and 
smoothed  it  down  on  the  surface,  and  thon,  throwing  the 
head  into  the  game-bag,  retraced  their  stepo  to  the  fort 
Their  nerves  were  by  this  time  worked  up  to  such  a  pitch 
of  excitement,  and  their  minds  filled  with  such  a  decree 
of  supernatural  horror,  that  they  tripped  and  stumbled 
over  stumps  and  branches  innumerable  in  their  double- 
quick  march.     Neither  would  confess  to  the  other,  how- 
ever,  that  he  was  afraid.    They  even  attempted  to  pass  a 
few  facetious  remarks  as  they  hurnVd  along,  but' it  would 
not  do,  so  they  relapsed  into  silence  till  they  came  to  the 
hollow  beside  the  powder-magazine.     Here  the  doctor's  • 
foot  happening  to  slip,  he  suddenly  grasped  Wilson  by  the 
shoulder,  to  support  liimself,--a  movement  which,  being 
unexpected,  made  his  friend  leap,  as  he  afterwards  ex- 
pressed it,  nearly  out  of  his  skin.     This  was  almost  too 
much  for  them.    For  a  moment  they  looked  at  each  other 
as  well  as  the  darkness  would  permit,  when  all  at  once 
a  large  stone,  which  the  doctor's  slip  had  overbalanced, 
tell  down  the  bank  and  through  the  bushes  with  a  loud 


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Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER.  N.Y.  14580 

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276 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


crash.-  Nothing  more  was  wanting.  All  further  effort 
to  disguise  their  feelings  was  dropped.  Leaping  the  rail 
of  the  open  field  in  a  twinkling,  they  gave  a  simultaneous 
yell  of  consternation  and  fled  to  the  fort  like  autumn 
leaves  before  the  wind,  never  drawing  breath  till  they 
were  safe  within  the  pickets." 

"  But  what  has  all  this  to  do  with  Peterkin  ? "  asked 
Harry,  as  the  accountant  paused  to  relight  his  pipe  and 
toss  a  fresh  log  on  the  fire. 

"  Have  patience,  lad ;  you  shall  hear." 

The  accountant  stirred  the  logs  with  his  toe,  drew  a 
few  whiffs  to  see  that  the  pipe  was  properly  ignited,  and 
proceeded. 

"  For  a  day  or  two  after  this,  the  doctor  was  observed 
to  be  often  mysteriously  engaged  in  an  outhouse,  of  which 
he  kept  the  key.  By  some  means  or  other,  the  skipper, 
who  is  always  up  to  mischief,  managed  to  discover  the 
secret.  Watching  where  the  doctor  hid  the  key,  he  pos- 
sessed himself  of  it  one  day,  and  sallied  forth,  bent  on  a 
lark  of  some  kind  or  other,  but  without  very  well  know- 
ing what.  Passing  the  kitchen,  he  observed  Anderson, 
the  butler,  raking  the  fire  out  of  the  large  oven  which 
stands  in  the  back-yard. 

"* Baking  again,  Anderson?'  said  he  in  passing. 
*  You  get  soon  through  with  a  heavy  cargo  of  bread,  just 
now.' 

" '  Yes,  sir  ;  many  mouths  to  feed,  sir/  replied  the  but- 
ler, proceeding  with  his  work. 

"  The  skipper  sauntered  on,  and  took  the  track  which 
leads  to  the  boat-house,  where  he  stood  for  some  time  in 
meditation.  Casting  up  his  eyes,  lie  saw  Peterkin  in  tlie 
distance,  looking  as  if  he  didn't  very  well  know  what 
to  do. 


her  effort 
g  the  rail 
luhaneous 
e  autumn 
1  till  they 

?"  asked 
pipe  and 


e,  drew  a 
nited,  and 

observed 
!,  of  which 
i  skipper, 
cover  the 
y,  he  pos- 
bent  on  a 
ell  know- 
A.nderson, 
;rea  which 

1  passing, 
read,  just 

i  the  but- 

ack  which 
le  time  in 
kin  in  the 
now  wliat 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 

«  A  sudden  thought  struck  him.  Pulling  off  his  coat, 
he  seized  a  mallet  and  a  caulking-chisel,  and  began  to 
belabor  the  side  of  a  boat,  as  if  his  life  depended  on  it. 
All  at  once  he  stopped  and  stood  up,  blowing  with  the 
exertion. 

« '  Hallo,  Peterkin  ! '  he  shouted,  and  waved  his  hand, 

"  Peterkin  hastened  towards  him. 

" '  Well,  sir,'  said  he,  '  do  you  wish  to  speak  to  me  ? ' 

" '  Yes,'  replied  the  skipper,  scratching  his  head,  as  if 
in  great  perplexity.  *  I  wish  you  to  do  me  a  favor,  Peter- 
kin, but  I  don't  know  very  well  how  to  ask  you.' 

"  '  Oh,  I  shall  be  most  happy,'  said  poor  Butter,  eagerly, 
'if  I  can  be  o^  any  use  to  you.' 

*"!  don't  doubt  your  willingness,'  replied  the  other; 
♦but  then  — the  doctor,  you  see  — the  fact  is,  Peterkin, 
the  doctor  being  called  away  to  see  a  sick  Indian,  has 
intrusted  me  with  a  delicate  piece  of  business  —  rather 
a  nasty  piece  of  business,  I  may  say  —  which  I  promised 
to  do  for  him.     You  must  know  that  the  Surgical  Society 
of  London  has  written  to  him,  begging,  as  a  great  favor, 
that  he  would,  if  possible,  procure  them  the  skull  of  a 
native.     After  much  trouble  he  has  succeeded  in  getting 
one,  but  is  obliged  to  keep  it  a  great  secret,  even  from 
his  fellow-clerks,  lest  it  should  get  wind ;  for  if  the  In- 
dians heard  of  it,  they  would  be  sure  to  kill  him,  and  per- 
haps burn  the  fort  too.      Now,  I  suppose  you  are  aware 
that  it  is  necessary  to  boil  an  Indian's  head,  in  order  to 
get  the  flesh  clean  off  the  skull  ? ' 

" '  Yes,  I  have  heard  something  of  that  sort  from  the 
students  at  college,  who  say  that  boiling  brings  flesh  more 
easily  away  from  the  bone ;  but  I  don't  know  much  about 
It,'  replied  Peterkin. 

Well,'  continued   the  skipper,  *  the  doctor,  who  is 


278 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


1  I 


fond  of  experiments,  wishes  to  try  whether  baking  won't 
do  better  than  boiling^  and  ordered  the  oven  to  be  heated 
for  that  purpose  this  morning ;  but  being  called  suddenly 
awar,  as  I  have  said,  he  begged  me  to  put  the  head  into 
it  as  soon  as  it  was  ready.  I  agreed,  quite  forgetting  at 
the  time  that  I  had  to  get  this  precious  boat  ready  for  sea 
this  very  afternoon.  Now,  the  oven  is  prepared,  and  I 
dare  not  leave  my  work  ;  indeed,  I  doubt  whether  I  shall 
have  it  quite  ready  and  taut  after  all,  and  there's  the  oven 
cooling ;  so,  if  you  don't  help  me  I'm  a  lost  man.' 

"  Having  said  this,  the  skipper  looked  a^  miserable  as 
his  jolly  visage  would  permit,  and  rubbed  his  nose. 

"  *  Oh,  I'll  be  happy  to  do  it  for  you,  although  it  is  not 
an  agreeable  job,'  replied  Butter. 

"  '  That's  right  —  that's  friendly  now  ! '  exclaimed  the 
skipper,  as  if  greatly  relieved.  '  Give  us  your  flipper, 
my  lad ; '  and  seizing  Peterkin's  hand,  he  wrung  it  af- 
fectionately. *  Now,  here  is  the  key  of  the  outhouse  ;  do 
it  as  quickly  as  you  can,  and  don't  let  any  one  see  you. 
It's  in  a  good  cause,  you  know  ;  but  the  results  might  be 
terrible,  if  discovered.* 

"  So  saying,  the  skipper  fell  to  hammering  the  boat 
again  with  surprising  vigor  till  Butter  was  out  of  sight, 
and  then,  resuming  his  coat,  returned  to  the  house. 

"  An  hour  after  this,  Anderson  went  to  take  his  loaves 
out  of  the  oven ;  but  he  had  no  sooner  taken  down  the 
door  than  a  rich  odor  of  cooked  meat  greeted  his  nostrils. 
Uttering  a  deep  growl,  the  butler  shouted  out  —  '  Sprat ! ' 

"  Upon  this,  a  very  thin  boy,  with  arms  and  legs  like 
pipe-stems,  issued  from  the  kitchen,  and  came  timidly  to- 
wards his  master. 

"  *  Didn't  I  tell  you,  you  young  blackguard,  that  the 
grouse-pie  was  to  be  kept  for  Sunday,  and  there  you've 
gone  and  put  it  to  fire  to-day.* 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH 


\    K 


279 


tn(/  won*t 
)e  heated 
suddenly 
head  into 
jetting  at 
\y  for  sea 
id,  and  I 
er  I  shall 

the  oven 
1.' 

erable  as 
ise. 

it  is  not 

imed  the 
r  flipper, 
ng  it  af- 
[)use;  do 
see  you. 
might  be 

the  boat 
of  sight, 
se. 

lis  loaves 
lown  the 
nostrils. 
■  Sprat ! ' 
legs  like 
nidly  to- 

that  the 
}  you've 


« *  The  grouse-pie ! '  said  the  boy,  in  amazement. 

" '  Yes,  the  grouse-pie,'  retorted  the  indignant  butler  ; 
and  seizing  the  urchin  by  the  neck,  he  held  his  head 
down  to  the  mouth  of  the  oven. 

"  '  Smell  that,  you  villain  !  What  did  you  mean  by  it  ? 
eh?' 

" '  Oh,  murder ! '  shouted  the  boy,  as,  with  a  violent  ef- 
fort, he  freed  himself;  and  ran  shrieking  into  the  house. 

« '  Murder ! '  repeated  Anderson,  in  astonishment,  while 
he  stooped  to  look  into  the  oven,  where  the  first  thing 
that  met  his  gaze  was  a  human  head,  whose  ghastly  vis- 
age and  staring  eyeballs  worked  and  moved  about  under 
the  influence  of  the  heat  as  if  it  were  alive. 

"  With  a  yell  that  rung  through  the  whole  f  >rt,  the 
horrified  butler  rushed  through  the  kitchen,  ana  .  ,  at 
the  front  doc,  where,  as  ill-luck  would  have  it,  Mr.  Ro- 
gan  happened  to  be  standing  at  the  moment.  Pi.chincr 
head  first  into  the  small  of  the  old  gentleman's  back,  he 
threw  him  off  the  platform,  and  fell  into  his  arms.  Start- 
ing up  in  a  noment,  the  governor  dealt  Anderson  a  cufF 
that  sent  him  reeling  towards  the  kitchen-door  again,  on 
the  steps  of  which  he  sat  down,  and  began  to  sfng  out, 
*0h!  murder,  murder!  the  oven,  the  oven!'  a^d  not 
another  word,  bad,  good,  or  indifferent,  could  be  got  out 
of  him  for  the  next  half  hour,  as  he  swayed  himself  to 
and  fro,  and  wrung  his  hands^ 

"  To  make  a  long  story  short,  Mr.  Rogan  went  himself 
to  the  oven,  and  fished  out  the  head,  along  with  the  loaves, 
which  were,  of  course,  all  spoiled." 

"And  what  was  the  result  ?  "  inquired  Harry. 
"  Oh !  there  was  a  long  investigation,  and  the  skipper 
got  a  blowing-up,  and  the  doctor  a  warning  to  let  Indians' 
skulls  lie  at  peace  in  their  graves  for  the  future,  and  poor 


280 


SNOWFLAKES  AND    SUNBEAMS 


Butter  was  sent  to  M'Kenzie's  River  as  a  punishment, 
for  old  Rogan  could  never  be  brought  to  beheve  that  he 
hadn't  been  a  willing  tool  in  the  skipper's  hands  ;  and 
Anderson  lost  his  batch  of  bread  and  his  oven,  for  it  had 
to  be  pulled  down,  and  a  new  one  built." 

"  Humph  !  and  I've  no  doubt  the  governor  read  you  a 
pretty  stiff  lecture  on  practical  joking." 

"  He  did,"  replied  the  accountant,  laying  aside  his  pipe, 
and  drawing  the  green  blanket  over  him,  while  Harry 
piled  several  large  logs  on  the  fire. 
"  Good  night,"  said  the  accountant. 
"  Good  night,"  replied  his  companions  ;  and  in  a  few 
minutes  more  they  were  sound  asleep  in  their  snowy 
camp,  while  the  huge  fire  continued,  during  the  greater 
part  of  the  night,  to  cast  its  light  on  their  slumbering 
forms. 


+  ■ 


I   i 


\ 


]^S^^^': 


FROM  THE  FAIl  NORTH. 


lishnienf, 
J  that  he 
ids  ;  and 
ar  it  had 

id  you  a 

his  pipe, 
5  Harry 


in  a  few 

'   snowy 

greater 

tnbering 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

PTARMIGAN  HUNTING;  HAMILTON'S  SHOOTING  POWERS  SEVERELY 
TE-TED;  A  SNOW-STORM. 

A  T  about  four  o'clock  on  the  following  morning,  the 
J^  sleepers  were  awakened  by  the  cold,  which  had 
become  very  intense.     The  fire  had  burned  down  to  a 
few  embers,  which  merely  emitted  enough  light  to  make 
darkness  visible.     Harry,  being  the  most  active  of  the 
party,  was  the  first  to  bestir  himself.     Raising  himself 
on  his  elbow,  while  his  teeth  chattered,  and  his  limbs 
trembled  with  cold,  he  cast  a  woebegone  and  excessively 
sleepy  glance  towards  the  place  where  the  fire  had  been ; 
then  he  scratched  his  head  slowly;    then  he   stared  at 
the  fire  again ;  then  he  languidly  glanced  at  Hamilton's 
sleeping  visage ;  and  then  he  yawned.     The  accountant 
observed  all  this  ;  for  although  he  appeared  to  be  buried 
in  the  depths  of  slumber,  lie  was  wide  awake  in  reality, 
and,  moreover,  intensely  cold.     The  accountant,   how- 
ever, was  sly  — deep  — as  he  would  have  said  himself, 
and  knew  that  Harry's  active  habits  would  induce  him 
to  rise,  on  awaking,  and  rekindle  the  fire,  —  an  event 
which  the  accountant  earnestly  desired   to   see   accom- 
plished, but  which  he  as  earnestly  resolved  should  not  be 
performed  by  htm.     Indeed,  it  was  with  this  tnd  in  view 
that  he  had  given  vent  to  the  terrific  snore  which  had 
aroused  his  young  companion  a  little  sooner  than  would 
have  otherwise  been  the  case. 


!1     ; 


VI 


282 


M 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


«  My  eye,"  exclaimed  Harry,  in  an  undertone,  «  how 
precious  cold  it  is ! " 

His  eye  making  no  reply  to  this  remark,  he  arose, 
and,  going  down  on  his  hands  and  knees,  began  to  coax 
the  charcoal  into  a  flame.  By  dint  of  severe  blowing, 
he  soon  succeeded,  and,  heaping  on  a  quantity  of  small 
twigs,  the  fitful  flame  sprang  up  into  a  steady  blaze. 
He  then  threw  several  heavy  logs  on  the  fire,  and  in  a 
very  short  space  of  time  restored  it  almost  to  its  original 
vigor. 

"  What  an  abominable  row  you  are  kicking  up," 
growled  the  accountant;  "why,  you  would  waken  the 
seven  sleepers.  Oh !  mending  the  fire,"  he  added,  in  an 
altered  tone  ;  "  ah  I  I'll  excuse  you,  my  boy,  since  that's 
what  you're  at." 

The  accountant  hereupon  got  up,  along  with  Hamilton, 
who  was  now  also  awake,  and  the  three  spread  their 
hands  over  the  bright  fire,  and  revolved  their  bodies  be- 
fore it,  until  they  imbibed  a  satisfactory  amount  of  heat. 
They  were  much  too  sleepy  to  converse,  however,  and 
contented  themselves  with  a  very  brief  inquiry  as  to  the 
state  of  Hamilton's  heels,  which  elicited  the  sleepy  reply, 
"They  feel  quite  well,  thank. you."  In  a  short  time, 
having  become  agreeably  warm,  they  gave  a  simultaneous 
yawn,  and,  lying  down  again,  fell  into  a  sleep,  from  which 
they  did  not  awaken  until  the  red  winter  sun  shot  its 
early  rays  over  the  arctic  scenery. 

Once  more  Harry  sprang  up,  and  let  his  hand  fall 
heavily  on  Hamilton's  shoulder.  Thus  rudely  assailed, 
that  youth  also  sprang  up,  giving  a  shout,  at  the  same 
time,  that  brought  the  accountant  to  his  feet  in  an  instant; 
and  so,  as  if  by  an  electric  spark,  the  sleepers  were 
simultaneously  roused  into  a  state  of  wide-awake  activity. 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


283 


"  How  excessively  hungry  I  feel ;  isn't  it  strange  ? " 
said  Hamilton,  as  he  assisted  in  rekindling  the  fire,  while 
the  accountant  filled  his  pipe,  and  Harry  stuffed  the  tea- 
kettle full  of  snow. 

"  Strange ! "  cried  Harry,  as  he  placed  the  kettle  on 
the  fire,  — «  strange  !  to  be  hungry  after  a  five  miles' 
walk,  and  a  night  in  the  snow?  I  would  rather  say 
it  was  strange  if  you  were  not  hungry.  Throw  on  that 
billet,  like  a  good  fellow,  and  spit  those  grouse,  while  I 
cut  some  pemmican  and  prepare  the  tea." 

"  How  are  the  heels  now,  Hamilton  ?  "  asked  the  ac- 
countant, who  divided  his  attention  between  his  pipe 
and  his  snow-shoes,  the  lines  of  which  required  to  be  re- 
adjusted. 

"  They  appear  to  be  as  well  as  if  nothing  had  hap- 
pened to  them,"  repli^  Hamilton  ;  "  I've  been  looking  at 
them,  and  there  is  no  mark  whatever.  They  do  not  even 
feel  tender." 

"  Lucky  for  you,  old  boy,  that  they  were  taken  in  time, 
else  you'd  have  had  another  story  to  tell." 

"  Do  you  mean  to  say  that  people's  heels  really  freeze 
and  fall  off  ?  "  inquired  the  other,  with  a  look  of  incre- 
dulity. 

"  Soft,  very  soft,  and  green,"  murmured  Harry,  in  a 
low  voice,  while  he  continued  his  work  of  adding  fresh 
snow  to  the  kettle,  as  the  process  of  melting  reduced  its 
bulk. 

"  I  mean  to  say,"  replied  the  accountant,  tapping  the 
ashes  out  of  his  pipe, « that  not  only  heels,  but  hands, 
feet,  noses,  and  ears,  frequently  freeze,  and  often  fall  off 
in  this  country,  as  you  will  find  by  sad  experience,  if  you 
don't  look  after  yourself  a  little  better  than  you  have 
done  hitherto." 


k 


284 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


One  of  the  evil  effects  of  the  perpetual  jestincr  that 
prevailed  at  York  Fort  was,  that  "soft"  (in  other  words, 
straiglitforward,  unsuspecting)  youths  had  to  undergo  a 
long  process  of  learning-by-exporience ;  first,  believing 
everything,  and  then  doubting  everything,  ere  they  ar- 
rived at  that  degree  of  sophistication  which  enabled  them 
to  distinguish  between  truth  and  falsehood. 

Having  reached  the  doubting  period  in  his  training, 
Hamilton  looked  down  and  said  nothing,  at  least  with  his 
mouth,  though  his  eyes  evidently  remarked,  "  I  don't  be- 
lieve you."  In  future  years,  however,  the  evidence  of 
these  same  eyes  convinced  him  that  what  the  accountant 
said  upon  this  occasion  was  but  too  true. 

Breakfast  was  a  repetition  of  the  supper  of  the  pre- 
vious evening.  During  its  discussion  they  planned  pro- 
ceedings for  the  day.  * 

"  My  notion  is,"  said  the  accountant,  interrupting  the 
flow  of  words  ever  and  anon  to  chew  the  morsel  with 
which  his  mouth  was  filled,  "  my  notion  is,  that,  as  it's 
a  fine  clear  day,  we  should  travel  five  miles  through  the 
country  parallel  with  North  River.  I  know,  the  ground, 
and  can  guide  you  easily  to  the  spots  where  there  are  lots 
of  willows,  and,  therefore,  plenty  of  ptarmigan,  seeing 
that  they  feed  on  willow  tops  ;  and  the  snow  that  fell  last 
night  will  help  us  a  little." 

"  How  will  the  snow  help  us?"  inquired  Hamilton. 
«  By  covering  up  all  the  old  tracks,  to  be  sure,  and 
showing  only  the  new  ones." 

«  Well,  captain,"  said  Harry,  as  he  raised  a  can  of  tea 
to  his  lips,  and  nodded  to  Hamilton,  as  if  drinking  his 
health,  "go  on  with  your  proposals  for  the  day.     Five 

miles  up  tne  river  to  begin  with,  then " 

"Then,   we'll    pull   up,"   continued  the   accountant; 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


285 


"make  a  fire,  rest  a  bit,  and  eat  a  mouthful  of  p<.antni- 
can  ;  after  which  we'll  strii^e  across  country  for  the  south- 
ern woodcutters'  track,  and  so  home." 

"  And  how  much  will  that  be  ?" 

"  About  fifteen  miles." 

"  Ila  !  "  exclaimed  Harry  ;  "  pass  the  kettle,  please. 
Thanks.     Do  you  think  you're  up  to  that,  Hammy  ?  " 

"  I  will  try  what  I  can  do,"  replied  Hamilton.  "  If 
the  snow-shoes  don't  cause  me  to  fall  often,  I  think  I 
shall  stand  the  fatigue  very  well." 

«  That's  right,"  said  the  accountant;  "'faint  heart,' 
&c.,  you  know.  If  you  go  on  as  you've  begun,  you'll 
be  chosen  to  head  the  next  expedition  to  the  north 
pole." 

"Well,"  replied  Hamilton,  good-humoredly,  "pray 
head  the  present  expedition,  and  let  us  be  gone." 

"  Right !  "   ejaculated   the  accountant,   rising.      "  I'll 
just  put  my  odds  and  ends  out  of  the  reach  of  the  foxes 
and  then  we  shall  be  off."  ' 

In  a  few  minutes  everything  was  placed  in  security, 
guns  loaded,  snow-shoes  put  on,  and  the  winter  camp 
deserted.  At  first  the  walking  was  fatiguing,  and  poor 
Hamilton  more  than  once  took  a  sudden  and  eccentric 
plunge ;  but,  after  getting  beyond  the  wooded  country, 
they  found  the  snow  much  more  compact,  and  their 
march,  therefore,  much  more  agreeable.  On  cominc.  to 
the  place  where  it  was  probable  that  they  might  fall  in 
with  ptarmigan,  Hamilton  became  rather  excited,  and 
apt  to  imagine  that  little  lumps  of  snow,  which  hung 
upon  the  bushes  here  and  there,  v/ere  birds. 

"There  now,"  he  cried,  in  an  energetic  and  slightly 
positive  tone,  as  another  of  these  masses  of  snow  sud- 
denly met  his  eager  eye,  — "that's  one,  I'm  quite  sure." 


T 


;!  'I 


■Illffill 


286 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


The  accountant  and  Harry  both  stopped  sliort  on  hear- 
ing this,  and  looked  in  the  direction  indicated. 

"  Fire  away,  tlien,  Ilanimy,"  said  the  former,  endeavor- 
ing to  suppress  a  smile. 

"  But  do  you  think  it  really  is  one  ?  "  asked  Hamilton, 
anxiously. 

"  Well,  I  don't  see  it,  exactly,  but  then,  you  know,  I'm 
near-sighted." 

"  Don't  give  him  a  chance  of  escape,"  cried  Harry, 
seeing  that  his  friend  was  undecided.  "  If  you  really  do 
see  a  bird,  yoc'd  better  shoot  it,  for  they've  got  a  strong 
propensity  to  take  wing  when  disturbed." 

Thus  admonished,  Hamilton  raised  his  gun  and  took 
aim.  Suddenly,  he  lowered  his  piece  again,  and  looking 
round  at  Harry,  said,  in  a  low  whisper,— 

"  Oh !  I  should  like  so  much  to  shoot  it  while  flying. 
Would  it  not  be  better  to  set  it  up  first  ?  " 

"  By  no  means,"  answered  the  accountant.  « <  A  bird 
in  the  hand,'  &c.  Take  him  as  you  find  him,  — look 
sharp ;  he'll  be  oflT  in  a  second." 

Again  the  gun  was  pointed,  and  after  some  difficulty 
in  taking  aim,  fired. 

«  Ah !  what  a  pity  you've  missed  him,"  shouted  Harry  j 
"  but  see,  he's  not  off  yet ;  how  tame  he  is,  to  be  sure ; 
give  him  the  other  barrel,  Hammy." 

This  piece  of  advice  proved  to  be  unnecessary.  In 
his  anxiety  to  get  the  bird,  Hamilton  had  cocked  both 
barrels,  and  while  gazing,  half  in  disappointment,  half  in 
surprise,  at  the  supposed  bird,  his  finger  unintentionally 
pressed  the  second  trigger.  In  a  moment  the  piece  ex- 
ploded. Being  accidentally  aimed  in  the  right  direction, 
it  blew  the  lump  of  snow  to  atoms,  and  at  the  same  time 
hitting  its  owner  on  the  chest  with  the  butt,  knocked  him 
over  flat  upon  his  back. 


FROM  THE  PAP  NORTH. 


287 


"  What  a  gun  it  is,  to  be  auro  ! "  said  Ilany,  with  a 
roj^iiish  hiugli,  as  he  assisted  the  discomfited  sportsman 
to  rise ;  "  it  knocks  over  game  with  butt  and  muzzle  at 
once." 

"  Quite  a  rare  instance  of  one  butt  knocking  another 
down,"  added  the  accountant. 

At  this  moment  a  large  flock  of  ptarmigan,  startled  by 
the  double  report,  rose  with  a  loud,  whirring  noise  about 
a  hundred  yards  in  advance,  and  after  flying  a  short  dis- 
tance, alighted. 

"  There's  real  game  at  last,  though,"  cried  the  account- 
ant, as  he  hurried  after  the  birds,  followed  closely  by  his 
young  friends. 

They  soon  reached  the  spot  wLj/e  the  flock  had 
alighted,  and  after  following  up  the  tracks  for  a  few 
yards  further,  set  them  up  again.  As  the  birds  rose,  the 
accountant  fired  and  brought  down  two ;  Harry  shot  one 
and  missed  another,  Hamilton  being  so  nervously  inter- 
ested in  the  success  of  his  comrades  that  he  forgot  to 
fire  at  all. 

"  How  stupid  of  me !  "  he  exclaimed,  while  the  otfiera 
loaded  their  guns. 

"  Never  mind  •  better  luck  next  time,"  said  Harry,  as 
they  resumed  their  walk.  « I  saw  the  flock  settle  down 
about  half  a  mile  in  advance  of  us ;  so  step  out." 

Another  short  walk  brought  the  sportsmen  again  with- 
in range. 

"  Go  to  the  front,  Hammy,"  said  the  accountant,  "  and 
take  the  first  shot  this  time." 

Hamilton  obeyed.  He  had  scarcely  made  ten  steps  in 
advance,  when  a  single  bird  that  seemed  to  have  been 
separated  from  the  others,  ran  suddenly  out  from  under 
a  bush,  and  stood  stock  still,  at  a  distance  of  a  few  yards, 


I  i! 


I  II! 


! 


ill! 


I 


288 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


with  its  nock  stretclieil  out  and  Its  black  eye  wide  open, 
as  if  in  astoni.siirnent. 

"  Now,  tlKMi,  you  can't  miss  that:' 

ILunilton  was  quite  tJiken  aback  by  the  suddenness  of 
this  necessity  for  instantaneous  action.  Instead,  there- 
fore, of  iakiiifr  aim  leisurely,  (seeing  that  he  had  abun- 
dant time  to  do  so,)  he  rlew  entirely  to  the  opposite  ex- 
treme, took  no  aih  at  all,  and  fired  off  both  barrels  at 
once,  without  putting  the  gun  to  his  shoulder.  The  re- 
sult of  this  was  that  the  affrighted  bird  fiew  away  un- 
harmed,  while  Harry  ard  the  accountant  burst  spontane- 
ously into  fits  of  laughter. 

"How  very  provoking!"  said  the  poor  youth,  with  u 
dejected  look. 

"Never  mind  —  never  say  die  — try  again,"  said  the 
accountant,  on  recovering  his  gravity.  Having  reloaded, 
they  continued  the  pursuit. 

"'  Dear  me  ! "  exclaimed  Harry,  suddenly,  ''  here  are 
three  dead  binls ;  I  verily  believe,  Hamilton,  that  you 
have  killed  them  all  at  one  shot  by  accident." 

''  Can  it  be  possible  ?  "  exclaimed  his  friend,  as,  with 
a  look  of  amazement,  lie  regarded  the  birds. 

There  was  no  doubt  about  the  fact.  There  the^  lav, 
plump  and  still  warm,  with  one  or  two  drops  of  bright 
red  blood  upon  the'r  white  plumage.  Ptarmigan  are 
almost  pure  white,  so  that  it  requires  a  practised  eye  to 
detect  them,  even  at  the  distance  of  a  few  yards ;  and  it 
would  be  almost  impossible  to  hunt  thera  without  dogs, 
but  for  the  telltale  snow  in  which  their  tracks  are  dis- 
tinctly marked,  enabling  the  sportsman  to  follow  them  up 
with  unerring  certainty.  When  Hamilton  made  his  bad 
shot,  neither  he  nor  his  companions  observed  a  group  of 
ptarmigan  not  more  than  fifty  yards  before  them,  their 


lillli  ;;i 


I'' 

I! 
1 1!! 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


ide  open, 


3nnos3  of 
(1,  there- 
^d  abun- 
osite  ex- 
tarrels  at 
Tlie  re- 
iway  un- 
pontane- 

I,  with  u 

said  the 
e  loaded, 

lere  are 
hat  you 

as,  with 

ley  lav, 
r  bright 
jan  are 
I  eye  to 
and  it 
it  dogs, 
ire  dis- 
bera  up 
lis  bad 
roup  of 
a,  their 


289 


attention  being  rivetted  at  the  time  on  the  solitary  bird, 
and  the  gun  happening  to  be  directed  towards  them  when 
it  was  fired,  three  were  instantly  and  unwittingly  placed 
hors  de  combat,  while  the  others  ran  away.  This  the  sur- 
vivors frequently  do  when  very  tame,  instead  of  taking 
wing.  Thus  it  was  that  Hamilton,  to  his  immense  de- 
light, made  such  a  successful  shot  without  being  awar« 
of  it. 

Having  bagged  their  game,  the  party  proceeded  on 
their  way.  Several  large  flocks  of  birds  were  raised, 
and  the  game-bags  nearly  filled,  before  reaching  the  spot 
where  they  intended  to  turn,  and  bend  their  steps  home- 
wards. This  induced  them  to  give  up  the  idea  of  going 
further;  and  it  was  fortunate  they  came  to  this  resolution, 
for  a  storm  was  brewing,  which,  in  the  eagerness  of  pursuit 
after  game,  they  had  not  noticed.  Dark  masses  of  leaden- 
colored  clouds  were  gathering  in  the  sky  overhead,  and 
faint  sighs  of  wind  came,  ever  and  anon,  in  fitful  gusts 
from  the  northwest. 

Hurrying  forward  as  quickly  as  possible,  they  now 
pursued  their  course  in  a  direction  which  would  enable 
them  to  cross  the  wood-cutters'  track.     This  they  soon 
reached,  and  finding  it  pretty  well  beaten,  were  enabled 
to  make  more  rapid  progress.    Fortunately  the  wind  was 
blowing  on  their  backs,  otherwise  they  would  have  had  to 
contend  not  only  with  its  violence,  but  also  with  the  snow- 
drift which  now  whirled  in  bitter  fury  among  the  trees, 
or  scoured  like  driving  clouds  over  the  plain.    Under  thiJ 
aspect,  the  flat  country  over  which  they  travelled  seemed 
the  perfection  of  bleak  desolation.     Their  way,  however, 
did  not  lie  in  a  direct  line.    The  track  was  somewhat  tor-' 
uons.  and  gradually  edged  towards  the  north,  until  the 
wind  blew  nearly  in  their  teeth.     At  this  point,  too,  they 

19 


I 

it 
i" 


Ml  '!• 


i  !': 


W  ! 


'm 


1  I 


III  I  {l  I 


k] 


290 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


came  to  the  stretch  of  open  ground,  which  they  had 
crossed  at  a  point  some  miles  further  to  the  northward, 
in  their  night  march.  Here  the  storm  raged  in  all  its 
fury,  and  as  they  looked  out  upon  the  plain,  before  quit- 
ting the  shelter  of  the  wood,  they  paused  to  tighten  their 
belts  and  readjust  their  snow-shoe  lines.  The  gale  was 
so  violent  that  the  whole  plain  seemed  tossed  about  like 
billows  of  the  sea,  as  the  drift  rose  and  fell,  curled,  eddied, 
and  dashed  along,  so  that  it  was  impossible  to  see  more 
than  half  a  dozen  yards  in  advance. 

"  Heaven  preserve  us  from  ever  being  caught  in  an 
exposed  place  on  such  a  night  as  this,"  said  the  account- 
ant, as  he  surveyed  the  prospect  before  him.  "  Luckily 
the  open  country  here  is  not  more  than  a  quarter  of  a 
mile  broad,  and  even  that  little  bit  will  try  our  wind 
somewhat." 

Hamilton  and  Harry  seemed  by  their  looks  to  say, 
"  "We  could  easily  face  even  a  stiffer  breeze  than  that,  if 
need  be." 

"  What  should  we  do,"  inquired  the  former,  "  if  the 
plain  were  five  or  six  miles  broad  ?  " 

"  Do  ?  why  we  should  have  to  camp  in  the  woods  till 
it  blew  over,  that's  all,"  replied  the  accountant ;  "  but, 
seeing  that  we  are  not  reduced  to  such  a  necessity  just 
now,  and  that  the  day  is  drawing  to  a  close,  let  us  face  it 
at  once.  I'll  lead  the  way,  and  see  that  you  follow  close 
at  my  heels.  Don't  lose  sight  of  me  for  a  moment,  and 
if  you  do,  by  chance,  give  a  shout  j  d'ye  hear  ?  '* 

The  two  lads  replied  in  the  affirmative ;  and  then  brac- 
ing themselves  up  as  if  for  a  great  effort,  stepped  vigor- 
ously out  upon  the  plain,  and  were  instantly  swallowed 
up  in  clouds  of  snow.  For  half  an  hour  or  more,"they 
battled  slowly  against  the  howling  storm  ;  pressing  for- 


'  l!U!i__Jii; 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH.  291 

ward,  for  some  minutes,  with  heads  down,  as  if  borinq 
through  It, -then  turning  their  backs  to  the  blast  for 
a  few  seconds'  reHef,-but  always  keeping  as  close  to 
each  other  as  possible.  At  length  the  woods  were  gained- 
on  entering  which  it  was  discovered  that  Hamilton  waJ 
missinj;. 

"  Mallo  !  Where's  Hamilton  ?  "  exclaimed  Harry  ;  "  I 
saw  liirn  beside  me  not  five  minutes  ago." 

The  accountant  gave  a  loud  shour,  but  there  was  no 
reply  Indeed,  nothing  short  of  his  own  stentorian  voice 
could  have  been  heard  at  all  amid  the  storm 

"There's  nothing  for  it,"  said  Harry,  "but  to  search 
at  once,  else  he'll  wander  about  and  get  lost."  Savins 
th,s,  he  began  to  retrace  his  steps,  just  as  a  brief  lull  in 
the  gale  took  place. 

"  Hallo !  don't  you  hear  a  cry,  Harry  ?  " 

At  this  moment,  there  was  another  lull ;  the  drift  fell, 

and  for  an  mstant,  cleared  away,  revealing  the  bewil' 

dered  Hamilton,  not  twenty  yards  off,  standing,  like  a 

pillar  of  snow,  in  mute  despair. 

Profiting  by  the  glimpse,  Harry  rushed  forward,  caught 

iTfoL't  ""' ''"''  '"^ ''™ '"'"  "■'  p""^'  ''"'•'^'-  °^ 

Nothing  further  befell  them  after  this.    Their  route 

V  in  shelter  all  the  way  to  the  fort.     Poor  Hamilton, 

t  .s  true,  took  one  or  two  of  his  occasional  plunges  by 

he  way,  but  without  any  serious  result, -not  ewn  to 

he  extent  of  stuffing  his  nose,  ear.,  neck,  mittens,  pock- 

e  s,  gnn-barrels  and  everything  else  with  snow,  because, 

the.e  being  quite  full  and  hard  packed  already,  there 

was  no  room  left  for  the  addition  of  another  particle 


i  t. 


i  i 

J 


m 


w 


■frr 


!Pi 


I'!!' 


202 


SNOWFLAKKS  AND  SUNBEAMS 


CHAPTER    XXII. 

THE  WINTER  PACKET;    HARRY  HEARS  FROM    OLD  FRIENDS,  AND 
WISHES  THAT  HE  WAS  WITH  THEM. 

LETTERS  from  home !  What  a  burst  of  sudden 
emotion  —  what  a  riot  of  conflicting  feelings,  of 
dread  and  joy,  expectation  and  anxiety  —  what  a  flood 
of  old  memories  —  what  stirring  up  of  almost  forgotten 
associations,  these  three  words  create  in  the  hearts  of 
those  who  dwell  in  distant  regions  of  this  earth,  far,  far 
away  from  kith  and  kin  —  from  friends  and  acquaint- 
ances —  from  the  much-loved  scenes  of  childhood,  and 
from  home  !  Letters  from  home !  How  gratefully  the 
sound  falls  upon  ears  that  have  been  long  unaccustomed 
to  sounds  and  things  connected  with  home,  and  so 
long  accustomed  to  wild,  savage  sounds,  that  these  have 
at  length  lost  their  novelty,  and  become  every-day  and 
commonplace,  while  the  first  have  gradually  grown 
strange  and  unwonted.  For  many  long  months,  homf 
and  all  connected  with  it  has  become  a  dream  of  other 
days,  and  savage-land  a  present  reality.  The  mind  has 
by  degrees  become  absorbed  by  surrounding  objects  — 
objects  so  utterly  unassociated  with,  or  unsuggestive 
of  any  other  land,  that  it  involuntarily  ceases  to  think 
of  the  scenes  of  childhood  with  the  same  feelings  that 
it  once  did.  As  time  rolls  on,  home  assumes  a  misty, 
undefined  character,  as  if  it  were  not  only  distant  in  re- 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


293 


ENDS,  AND 


aVity,  but  were  also  slowly  retreating  further  and  further 
away  — growing  gradually  faint  and  dream-like,  though 
not  less  dear,  to  the  mental  view. 

"  Letters  from  home ! "  shouted  Mr.  Wilson,  and  the 
doctor,  and  the  skipper,  simultaneously,  as  the  sports- 
men, after  dashing  through  the  wild  storm,  at  last 
reached  the  fort,  and  stumbled  tumultuously  into  Bach- 
elors' Hall. 

"  What !  —  Where !  —  How  !  —  You  don't  mean  it ! " 
they  exclaimed,  coming  to  a  sudden  stand,  like  three  pil- 
lars of  snow-clad  astonishment. 

"Ay,"  replied  the  doctor,  — who  affected  to  be  quite 
cool  upon  all  occasions,  and  rather  cooler  than  usual  if 
the  occasion  was  more  than  ordinarily  exciting,  —  «  ay,  we 
do  mean  it.  Old  Rogan  has  got  the  packetrand  is  even 
now  disembowelling  it." 

«  More  than  that,"  interrupted  the  skipper,  who  sat 
smoking  as  usual  by  the  stove,  with  his  hands  in  his- 
breeches  pockets, —  «  more  than  that,  I  saw  him  dissect- 
ing  into  the  very  marrow  of  the  thing ;  so,  if  we  don't 
storm  the  old  admiral  in  his  cabin,  he'll  go  to  sleep  over 
these  prosy  yarns  that  the  governor-in-chi*if  writes  to 
him,  and  we'll  have  to  whistle  for  our  letters  till  mid- 
night." 

The  skipper's  remark  was  interrupted  by  the  opening 
of  the  outer  door  and  the  entrance  of  the  butler.  "  Mr. 
Rogan  wishes  to  see  you,  sir,"  said  that  worthy  to  the 
accountant. 

"  141  be  with  him  in  a  minute,"  he  reph'ed,  as  he  threw 
off  his  capote  and  proceeded  to  unwind  himself  as  quickly 
a^  M'^  multitudinous  haps  would  permit. 

^y  this  time  Harry  Somerville  and  Hamilton  were 
busily  occupied  in  a  similar  manner,  while  a  running  fire 


I 


I  ;  ^ 


„ 


1     ) 


III'  nil 


294 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


of  question  and  answer,  jesting  remark  and  bantering 
reply,  was  kept  up  between  the  young  men,  from  their 
various  apartments  and  the  hall.  The  doctor  was  cool, 
as  usual,  and  impudent.  He  had  a  habit  of  walking 
up  and  down  while  he  smoked,  and  was  thus  enabled  to 
look  in  upon  the  inmates  of  the  several  sleeping  rooms, 
and  make  his  remarks  in  a  quiet,  sarcastic  manner, 
the  galling  effect  of  which  was  heightened  by  his  habit 
of  pausing  at  the  end  of  every  two  or  three  words,  to 
emit  a  few  puffs  of  smoke.  Having  exhausted  a  good 
dea^  of  small  talk  in  this  way,  and  having,  moreover, 
finished  his  pipe,  the  doctor  went  to  the  stove  to  re- 
fill and  relight. 

"  What  a  deal  of  trouble  you  do  take  to  make  your- 
self comfortable,"  said  he  to  the  skipper,  who  sat  with 
his  chair  tilted  on  its  hind  legs,  and  a  pillow  at  his 
back. 

"  No  harm  in  that,  doctor,"  replied  the  skipper,  with  a 
smile. 

"  No  harm,  certainly ;  but  it  looks  uncommonly  lazy- 
like." 

«  What  does  ?  " 

"  Why,  putting  a  pillow  at  your  back,  to  be  sure." 

The  doctor  was  a  full-fleshed,  muscular  man,  and, 
owing  to  this  fact,  it  mattered  little  to  him  wliether 
his  chair  happened  to  be  an  easy  one  or  not.  As  the 
skipper  sometimes  remarked,  he  carried  padding  always 
about  with  him  ;  he  was,  therefore,  a  little  apt  to  sneer 
at  the  attempts  of  his  brethren  to  render  the  ill-shaped 
wooden-bottomed  chairs,  with  which  the  hall  was  orna- 
mented, bearable. 

"  Well,  doctor,"  said  the  skipper,  « I  cannot  see  how 
you  make  me  out  lazy.     Surely  it  is  not  an  evidence  of 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


295 


loreover. 


laziness  my,  endeavoring  to  render  these  instruments  of 
torture  less  tormenting  ?     Seeking  to  be  comfortable,  if 
it  does  not  inconvenience  any  one  elso,  is  not  laziness. 
Why,   what  is  comfort?      The   skipper   began  to  wax 
philosophical  at  this  point,  and  took  the  pipe  from  his 
mouth  as  he  gravely  propounded  the  momentous  ques- 
tion.    "  What  is  comfort  ?     If  I  go  out  to  camp  in  the 
woods,  and,  after  turning  in,  find  a  sharp  stump  sticking 
into  my  ribs  on  one  side,  and  a  pine  root  driving  in  the 
small  of  my  back  on  the  other  side,  is   that   comfort.? 
Certainly  not.     And  if  I  get  up,  seize  a  hatchet,  level 
the  stump,  cut  away  the  root,  and  spread   pine   brush 
over  the  place,  am  I  to  be  called  lazy  for  doing  so  ?     Or 
if  I  sit  down  on  a  chair,  and,  on  trying  to  lean  back  to 
rest  myself,  find  that  the  stupid  lubber  who  made  it  has 
so  constructed  it,  that  four  small  hard  points  alone  touch 
my  person,  — two  being  at  the  hip-joints,  and  two  at  the 
shoulder-blades ;  and  if,  to  relieve  such  physical  agony,  I 
jump  up  and  clap  a  piliow  at  my  back,  am  I  to  be° called 
lazy  for  doing  that  ?  " 

"  What  a  glorious  entry  that  would  make  in  the  log !  " 
said  the  doctor,  in  a  low  tone,  soliloquizingly,  as  if^he 
made  the  remark  merely  for  his  own  satisfaction,  while 
he  tapped  the  ashes  out  of  his  pipe. 

The  skipper  looked  as  if  he  meditated  a  sharp  re- 
ply ;  but  his  intentions,  whatever  they  might  have  been, 
were  interrupted  by  the  opening  of  the  door,  and  the  en- 
trance of  the  accountant,  bearing  under  his  arm  a  packet 
of  letters. 

A  general  rush  was  made  upon  him,  and  in  a  few 
minutes  a  dead  silence  reigned  in  the  hall,  broken  only 
at  intervals  by  an  exclamation  of  surprise  or  pathos,  as 
the  inmates,  in  the  retirement  of  their  separate  apart- 


M 


296 


SNOWFLAKES   AND  SUNBEAMS 


ments,  perused  letters  from  friends  'i\  the  interior  of  the 
country,  and  friends  at  home,  —  letters  that  were  old,  — 
some  of  them  bearing  dates  man^  months  back  —  and 
travel-stained,  but  new,  and  fresh,  and  cheering,  neverthe- 
less, to  their  owners,  as  the  clear  bright  sun  in  winter,  or 
the  verdant  leaves  in  spring. 

Harry  Somerville's  letters  were  numerous  and  long. 
He  had  several  from  friends  in  Red  River,  besides  one 
or  two  from  other  parts  of  the  Indian  country,  and  one 
—  it  was  very  thick  and  heavy  —  that  bore  the  post- 
marks of  Britain.  It  was  late  that  night  ere  the  last 
candle  was  extinguished  in  the  hall,  and  it  was  late  too 
before  Harry  Somerville  ceased  to  peruse  and  re-peruse 
the  long  letter  from  home,  and  found  time  or  inclination 
to  devote  to  his  other  correspondents.  Among  the  rest 
was  a  letter  from  his  old  friend  and  companion,  Charley 
Kennedy,  which  ran  as  follows  :  — 


r.  '1 


My  dear  Harry,  —  It  really  seems  more  than  an 
age  since  I  saw  you.  Your  last  epistle,  written  in  the 
perturbation  of  mind  consequent  upon  being  doomed  to 
spend  another  winter  at  York  Fort,  reached  me  only  a 
few  days  ago,  and  filled  me  with  pleasant  recollections  of 
other  days.  Oh  !  man,  how  much  I  wish  that  you  were 
with  me  in  this  beautiful  country  !  You  are  aware  that 
r  have  been  what  they  call  "  roughing  it "  since  you  and 
I  parted  on  the  shores  of  Lake  Winnipeg;  but,  my  dear 
fellow,  the  idea  that  most  people  have  of  what  that  phrase 
means,  is  a  very  erroneous  one  indeed.  "  Roughing  it," 
I  certainly  have  been,  inasmuch  as  I  have  been  living  on 
rough  fare,  associating  with  rough  men,  and  sleeping 
on  rough  beds  under  the  starry  sky ;  but  I  assure  you, 
that  all  this  is  not  half  so  rough  upon  the  constitution 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


297 


ji, 


ior  of  the 
re  old,  — 
ck  —  and 
neverthe- 
winter,  or 

and  long, 
sides  one 

« 

,  and  one 
the  poat- 
!  the  last 
s  late  too 
re-peruse 
nclination 
;  the  rest 
,  Charley 


I  than  an 
en  in  the 
oomed  to 
(le  only  a 
ections  of 
you  were 
ware  that 
i  you  and 
,  my  dear 
lat  phrase 
ghing  it, 


« 


living  on 

sleeping 

sure  you, 

nstitution 


as  what  they  call  leading  an  ea^t/  life;  wliich  is  simply 
a  life  that  makes  a  poor  fellow  stagnate,  body  and  spirit, 
till  the  one  comes  to  be  unable  to  digest  its  food,  and 
the  other  incompetent  to  jump  at  so  much  as  half  an 
idea.     Anything  but  an   easy   life,  to   my  mind.     Ah  I 
there's  nothing  like  roughing  it,  Harry,  my  boy.     Why, 
I  am  thriving  on  it ;  growing  like  a  young  walrus ;  eat- 
ing like  a  Canadian  voyagev,/,  and  sleeping  like  a  top. 
This  is  a  splendid  country  for  sport,  and,  as  our  BouV' 
geois  *  has  taken  it  into  his  head  that  I  am  a  good  hand 
at  making  friends  with  the  Indians,  he  has  sent  me  out 
on  several  expeditions,  and  afforded  me   some  famous 
opportunities  of  seeing  life  among  the  redskins.     There 
is  a  talk  just  now  of  establishing  a  new  outpost  in  this 
district,  so,  if  I  succeed  in  persuading  the  governor  to  let 
me  accompany  the  party,  I  shall  have  something  inter- 
esting to  write  about  in  my  next  letter.     By  the  way,  I 
wrote  to   you  a  month  ago,  by  two  Indians  who  said 
they  were  going  to  the  missionary  station  at   Norway 
House.     Did  you  ever  get  it  ?     There  is .  a  hunter  here 
just  now,  who  goes  by  the  name  of  Jacques  Caradoc. 
He  is  a  firstrater  —  can^  do  anything,  in  a  wild  way, 
that  lies  within  the  power  of  mortal  man,  and  is  an  in- 
exhaustible anecdote-teller,  in  a  quiet  way.     He  and  I 
have  been  out  buffalo-hunting  two  or  three  times,  and 
it  would  have  done  your  heart  good,  Harry,  my  dear 
boy,  to  have  seen  us  scouring  over  the  prairie  together 
on  two  big-boned  Indian  horses  ;  —  regular  trained  buf- 
falo runners,  that  didn't  need  the  spur  to  urge,  nor  the 
rein  to  guide  them,  when  once  they  caught  sight  of  the 
black  cattle,  and  kept  a  sharp  look-out  for  badger  holes, 

*  The  gentleman  in  charge  of  an  establishment  is  always  desig- 
nated the  Bourgeois. 


298 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


nil  lllini: 


just  as  if  they  had  been  reasonable  creatures.  The  first 
time  1  went  out  I  had  several  rather  ugly  falls,  owing 
to  my  inexperience.  The  fact  is,  that  if  a  man  has  never 
run  buffaloes  before,  he's  sure  to  get  one  or  two  upsets, 
no  matter  how  good  a  horseman  he  may  be.  And  that 
monster,  Jacques,  although  he's  the  best  fellow  I  ever 
met  with  for  a  hunting  companion,  always  took  occasion 
to  grin  at  my  mishaps,  and  gravely  to  read  me  a  lecture 
to  the  effect  that  they  were  all  owing  to  my  own  clumsi- 
ness or  stupidity ;  which,  you  will  acknowledge,  was  not 
calculated  to  restore  my  equanimity. 

The  very  first  run  we  had  cost  me  the  entire  skin  of 
my  nose,  and  converted  that  feature  into  a  superb  Roman 
for  the  next  three  weeks.  It  happened  thus.  Jacques 
and  I  were  riding  over  the  prairie  in  search  of  buffaloes. 
The  place  was  interspersed  with  sundry  knolls  covered 
with  trees,  slips,  and  belts  of  woodland,  with  ponds  scat- 
tered among  them,  and  open  sweeps  of  the  plain  here  and 
there ;  altogether  a  delightful  country  to  ride  through. 
It  was  a  clear  early  morning,  so  that  our  horses  were 
fresh  and  full  of  spirit.  They  knew,  as  well  as  we  our- 
selves did,  what  we  were  out  for,  and  ^t  was  no  easy 
matter  to  restrain  them.  The  one  I  rode  was  a  great 
long-legged  beast,  as  like  as  possible  to  that  abominable 
kangaroo  that  nearly  killed  me  at  Red  River;  as  for 
Jacques,  he  was  mounted  on  a  firstrate  charger.  I  don't 
know  how  it  is,  but,  somehow  or  other,  everything  about 
Jacques,  or  belonging  to  him,  or  in  the  remotest  degree 
connected  with  him,  is  always  firstrate  !  He  generally 
owns  a  firstrate  horse,  and  if  he  happens  by  any  un- 
lucky chance  to  be  compelled  to  mount  a  bad  one,  it 
immediately  becomes  another  animal.  He  seems  to  in- 
fuse some  of  his  own  wonderful  smrit  into  it !     TVelL  as 


The  first 

ills,  owing 

has  never 

rt'o  upsets, 

And  that 
»w  I  ever 
k  occasion 

a  lecture 
»vn  clurasi- 
e,  was  not 

re  skin  of 
!rb  Roman 
Jacques 
'  buffaloes. 
Is  covered 
onds  scat- 
n  here  and 
3  through. 
)rses  were 
as  we  our- 
s  no  easy 
as  a  great 
bominable 
er;  as  for 
'.  I  don't 
ling  about 
est  degree 
generally 
y  any  un- 
ad  one,  it 
ems  to  in- 
Wellj  as 


FROM  THE   FAR  NORTH. 


299 


Jacques  and  I  curvetted  along,  skirting  the  low  bushes  at 
the  edge  of  a  wood,  out  burst  a  who^e  herd  of  buffaloes* 
Bang  went  Jacques's  gun,  alnjost  before  I  had  winked  to 
make  sure  that  I  saw  rightly,  and  down  fell  the  fattest 
of  them  all,  while  the  rest  tossed  up  their  tails,  heels, 
and  heads,  in  one  grand  whirl  of  indignant  amazement, 
and  scoured    away  like  the  wind.     In  a  moment  our 
horses  were  at  full  stretch  after  them,  on  their  own  ac- 
count entirely,  and  without  any  reference  to  us.     When 
I  recovered  my  self-possession  a  little,  I  threw  forward 
my  gun  and  fired,  but,  owing  to  my  endeavoring  to  hold 
the  reins  at  the  same  time,  I  nearly  blew  off  one  of  my 
horse's  ears,  and  only  knocked  up  the   dust  about  six 
yards  ahead  of   us  !     Of  course   Jacques  could  not  let 
this  pass  unnoticed.     He  was  sitting  quietly  loading  his 
gun,  as  cool  as  a  cucumber,  while  his  horse  was  dashing 
forward  at  full  stretch,  with  the  reins  hanging  loosely  on 
his  neck. 

"Ah !  Mister  Charles,"  said  he,  with  the  least  possible 
grin  on  his  leathern   visage,  "  that  was  not  well  done. 
You  should  never  hold  the  reins  when  you  fire,  nor  try 
to  put  the  gun  to  your  shoulder.    It  a'n't  needful.   The 
beast  '11  look  arter  itself,  if  it's  a  riglar  buffalo  runner ; 
anyways  holdin'  the  reins  is  oF  no  manner  of  use.    I  once 
know'd  a  gentleman  that  came  out  here  to  see  the  buffalo 
huntin'.     He  was  a  good  enough  shot  in  his  way,  an*  a 
firstrate  rider.      But  he  was  full  o'  queer  notions,  he 
would  load  his  gun  with  the  ramrod  in  the  riglar  way, 
instead  o*  doin'  as  we  do,  tumblin'  in  a  drop   powder, 
spittin'  a  ball  out  your  mouth  down  the  muzzle,  and  hit- 
tin*  the  stock  on  the  pommel  of  the  saddle  to  send  it 
home.     And  he  had  them  miserable  things  —  the  some- 
tun'  'eussion-caps,  and  used  to  fiddle  away  with  them, 


300 


8N0WFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


II  ii 


while  we  were  knockiii'  over  tlie  cattle  in  all  din  ctions. 
Moreover  he  had  a  notion  that  it  was  altogether  wrong 
to  let  go  his  reins  even  for  a  moment,  and  80,  what  be- 
tween the  ramrod,  and  the  'euMsion-caps,  and  the  reins,  he 
was  worse  than  the  greenest  clerk  that  ever  came  to  the 
country.     IIo  gave  it  up  in  despair  at  last,  after  lamin* 
two  horses,  and  finished  off  by  runnin'  after  a  big  bull, 
that  turned  on  him  all  of  a  suddent,  crammed  its  head 
and  horns  into  the  side  of  his  horse,  and  isent  tho  poor 
fellow  head  over  heels  on  the  green  grass.     lie  wasn't 
much  the  worse  for  it,  but  his  fine   double  barrelled  gun 
was  twisted  into  a  shape  that  would  almost  have  puzzled 
an  Injin  to  tell  what  it  was."     Well,  Harry,  all  the  time 
that  Jacques  was  telling  me  this  we  were  gaining  on  the 
buffaloes,  and  at  last  we  got  quite  close  to  them,  and  as 
luck  would  have  it,  the  very  thing  that  hap[>ened  to  the 
amateur  sportsman  happened  to  me.  I  went  madly  after  a 
big  bull  in  spite  of  Jacques'  remonstrances,  and,  just  as 
I  got  alongside  of  him,  up  went  his  tail,  (a  sure  sign  that 
his  anger  was  roused,)  and  round  he  came,  head  to  the 
front,  stiff  as  a  rock,  my  poor  charger's  chest  went  right 
between  his  horns,  and,  as  a  matter  of  course,  I  continued 
the  race  upon  nothing,  head  first,  for  a  distance  of  about 
thirty  yards,  and  brought  up  on  the  bridge  of  my  nose. 
My  poor  dear  father  used  to  say  I  was  a  bull-headed 
rascal,  and,  upon  my  word.  1  believe  he  was  more  liter- 
ally correct  than  he  nu.,;?i;i«ii',  for,  although  I  fell  with 
a  fearful  crash,  hear^  ':r  v,  on  the  hard  plain,  I  rose  up 
immediately,  and  in  a  few  minutes  was  able  to  resume 
the  chase  again.     My  horse  was  equally  fortunate,  for, 
although  thus   brought  to  a  sudden  stand  while  at  full 
gallop,  he  wheeled  about,  gave  a  contemptuous  flourish 
with  his  heels,  and  cantered  after  Jacques,  who  soon 


lire  ct  ions. 
\niv  wrong 
what  be- 
u  reins,  he 
ime  to  the 
ter  hiinin* 
I  big  bull, 
I  its  head 
tho  poor 
lie  wasn't 
felled  gun 
e  pu/zl«'(l 
1  the  time 
ing  on  the 
>ni,  and  as 
led  to  the 
idly  after  a 
nd,  just  as 
e  sign  that 
siad  to  the 
went  right 
'.  continued 
16  of  about 
f  my  nose, 
mil-headed 
more  liter- 
I  fell  with 
I  rose  up 
to  resume 
unate,  for, 
lilc  at  full 
us  flourish 
who   soon 


FROM   THE  FAR  NOKTH. 


301 


caught  him  again.     My  head  bothered  mo  n  good  deal 
for  some  time  after  this  accident,  and  Hwclied  uj)  till  my 
eyes  became  almost  iindistingwishabh! ;  but  a  few  wjeks 
put  me  all  right  again.     And  who  do  you  think  this  man 
Jacques  is  ?  You'd  never  guess.    He's  the  trapfxjr  whom 
Kedfeather  told  us  of  h.ng  ago,  and  whose  wife  was  killed 
by  the  Indians,     lie  and  Kedfeather  have  met  and  are 
very  fond  of  each  other.     How  often  in   the  midst  of 
these   wild  excursions   have    my  thoughts    wandei-ed  to 
you,  Harry !     The  fellows  I  meet  with  here  are  all  kind- 
hearted,  merry  companions,  but  none  like  yourself.     I 
sometimes  say  to  Jacques,  when  we  become  conununica- 
tlve  to  each  other  beside  the  camp-fire,  that  my  earthly 
felicity  would  be  perfect  if  I  had  Harry  Somerville  here, 
and  then  I  think  of  Kate,  my  sweet,  loving  sister  Kate, 
and  feel  that,  even  although  I  had  you  with  me,  there 
would  still  be  something  wanting  to  make  things  perfect. 
Talking  of  Kate,  by  the   v\t\y,  I  have  received  a  letter 
from  her,  the  first  sheet  of  which,  as  it  speaks  of  mutual 
Red   River  friends,  I  herewith  enclose.     Pray  keep  it 
safe,  and  return  per  first  opportunity.     We've  loads  of 
furs  here  and  plenty  of  deer-stalking,  —  not  to  mention 
galloping  on  horseback  on  the  plains   in    summer,  and 
dog-sledging  in  winter.     Alas  !  my  poor  friend,  l'  fear 
that  it  is  rather  selfish  in  me  to  write  so  feelingly  about 
my  agreeable  circumstances,  when  I  know  you  are  slowly 
dragging  out  your  existence  at  that  melancholy  place, 
York  Fort;  but,  believe  me,  I  sympathize  with  you,  and 
I  hope  earnestly  that  you  will  soon  be  appointed  to  more 
genial  scenes.     I  have  much,  very  much  to  tell  you  yet, 
but  am  compelled  to  reserve  it  for  a  future  epistle,  as 
the  packet  which  is  to  convey  this  is  on  the  point  of 
being  closed. 


,  ! 


^^^P^^'^raj 

' 

!       '; 

■■'  ■ ;  '■ 

1 

1 

'1;    ■    '^'    ; 

302 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


Adieu,  my  dear  HaiT}',  and  wherever  you  may  hap- 
pen to  pitch  your  tent,  always  bear  in  kindly  remem- 
brance your  old  f.  iend,  Chahles  Kennedy. 


ill _ ; ; 


The  letter  was  finished,  but  Harry  did  not  cease  to 
hold  intercourse  \/ith  his  friend.  With  his  head  resting 
on  his  two  hands  and  his  elbows  on  the  table,  he  sat  long, 
silently  gazinj^  on  the  signature,  while  his  mind  revelled 
in  the  past,  the  present,  and  the  future.  He  bounded 
over  the  wilderness  that  lay  between  him  and  the  beau- 
tiful plains  of  the  Saskatchewan.  He  seized  Charley 
round  the  neck,  and  hugged  and  wrestled  with  him  as  in 
days  of  yore.  He  mounted  an  imaginary  charger  and 
swept  across  the  plains  along  with  him;  —  listened  to 
anecdotes  innumerable  from  Jacques,  attacked  thousands 
of  buffaloes,  singled  out  scores  of  wild  bulls,  pitched  over 
horses'  heads  and  alighted  precisely  on  the  bridge  of  his 
nose,  always  in  close  proximity  to  his  old  friend.  Grad- 
ually his  mind  returned  to  its  prison-house,  and  his  eye 
fell  on  Kate's  letter,  which  he  picked  up  and  began  to 
read.     It  ran  thus  :  — 

My  dear,  dear,  darling  Charley,  —  I  cannot  tell 
you  how  much  my  heart  has  yearned  to  see  you,  or  hear 
from  you,  for  many  long,  long  months  past.  Your  last 
delightful  letter,  which  I  treasure  up  as  the  most  precious 
object  I  possess,  has  indeed  explained  to  me  how  utterly 
impossible  it  was  to  have  written  a  day  sooner  than  you 
did ;  but  that  does  not  comfort  me  a  bit,  or  make  those 
weary  packets  more  rapid  and  frequent  in  their  move- 
ments, or  the  time  that  passes  between  the  periods  of 
hearing  from  you  less  dreary  and  anxious.  God  bless 
and  protect  you,  my  darling,  in  the  midst  of  all  the  dan- 


may  hap- 
Uy  remem- 

ENNEDY. 

ot  cease  to 
lead  resting 
he  sat  long, 
ntl  revelled 
le  bounded 
d  the  beau- 
ed  Charley 
h  him  as  in 
harger  and 
listened  to 
i  thousands 
itched  over 
•idge  of  his 
nd.  Grad- 
md  his  eye 
id  began  to 


cannot  tell 
ou,  or  hear 
Your  last 
)st  precious 
tiow  utterly 
r  than  you 
make  those 
heir  move- 
periods  of 

ill  the  dan- 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


303 


gers  that  surround  you.     But  I  did  not  intend  to  be^n 
tins  letter  by  murmuring,  so  pray  forgive  me,  and  I  shall 
try  to  atone  for  it  by  giving  you  a  n.inule  account  of 
everybody  here,  about  whom  you  are  interested.     Our 
beloved  father  and  mother,  I  am  thankful  to  say    are 
quite  well.     Papa  has  taken  more  than  ever  to  smoking 
smce  you  went  away.     He  is  seldom  out  of  the  summer! 
house  ■„  the  garden  now,  where  I  very  frequently  go  and 
spend  hours  together  in  reading  to  and  lalking  with  him. 
He  very  often  speaks  of  you,  and  I  am  eerraiu  that  he 
misses  you  far  more  than  we  expected,  although  I  think 
he  cannot  miss  you  nearly  so  much  as  I  do.     For  some 
weeks  past,  indeed  ever  since  we  got  your  last  letter,  papa 
was  engaged  all  the  forenoon  in  some  mysterious  work, 
for  he  used  to  lock  himself  up  in  the  summer-house,  _  a 
thing  he  never  did  before.     One  day  I  went  there  at  my 
usual  time,  and  instead  of  having  to  wait  till  he  should 
unlock  the  door,  I  found  it  already  open  and  entered  the 
room,  which  was  so  full  of  smoke,  that  I  eould  hardly 
see.    I  found  papa  writing  at  a  small  table,  and  the  mo- 
ment he  heard  my  footstep,  he  jumped  up  with  a  fierce 
frown,  and  shouted,  "  Who's  th.re  ?  "  in  that  terrible  voice 
that  he  used  to  speak  in  long  ago  when  angry  with  his 
men  but  which  he  has  almost  quite  given  up  for  some 
time  past.    He  never  speaks  to  me,  as  you  know  very 

Td!;  'if  ;V':  H"'^^^';""-'  -  y-  -7  imagine  what 
..  dieadful  fright  I  got  for  a  moment,  but  it  was  only  for 

a  moment,  because  the  instant  he  saw  that  it  was  me,  his 

dear  ,a«.  changed,  and  he  folded  me  in  his  arms,  saying, 

Ah.  Kate, forgive  me,  my  darling!  I  did  not  know  it  was 

you,  and  I  thought  I  had  locked  the  door,  and  was  angry 

at  t>eing  so  unceremoniously  interrupted."     He  then  told 

»e  he  was  just  finishing  a  letter  of  advice  to  you,  and, 


mmmmmmiimmive 


1  !!■ 


A   iiji 

,( 

i 

I 

1 

■^  !  W 

:          ! 

■' 

lii 


!  I 


304 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


going  up  to  the  table,  pushed  the  papers  hurriedly  into  a 
drawer.     As  he  did  so,  J  guessed  what  had  been  his 
mysterious  occupation,  for  he  seemed  to  have  covered 
quires  of  paper  with  the  closest  writing.     Ah  !  Charley, 
you're  a  lucky  fellow  to  be  able  to  extort  such  long  let- 
ters from  our  dear  father.     You  know  how  difficult  he 
finds  it  to  write  even  the  shortest  note,  and  you  remem- 
ber his  old  favorite  expression,  "  I  would  rather  skin  a 
wild  buffalo  bull  alive  than  write  a  long  letter."     He 
deserves  long  ones  in  return,  Charley ;  but  I  need  not 
urge  you  on  that  score,  —  you  are   an  excellent  corre- 
spondent.   Mamma  is  able  to  go  out  every  day  now  for  a 
drive  in  the  prairie.     She  wat  confined  to  the  house  for 
'  nearly  three  weeks  last  month,  with  some  sort  of  illness 
that  the  doctor  did  not  seem  to  understand,  and  at  one 
time  I  was  much  frightened,  and  very,  very  anxious 
about  her,  she  became  so  weak.     It  would  have  made 
your  heart  glad  to  have  seen  the  tender  way  in  which 
papa  nursed  her  through  the  illness.     I  had  fancied  that 
he  was  the  very  last  man  in  the  world  to  make  a  sick- 
nurse,  so  bold  and  quick  in  his  movements,  and  with  such 
a  loud,  gruff  voice,  — for  it  is  gruff,  although  very  sweet 
at  the  same  time.     But  the   moment  he  began  to  tend 
mamma  he  spoke  more  softly  even  than  dear  Mr.  Addi- 
son does,  and  he  began  to  walk  about  the  house  on  tiptoe, 
and  persevered  so  long  in  this  latter  that  all  his  mocca- 
sons  began  to  be  worn  out  at  the  toes,  while  the  heels 
remained  quite  strong.     I  begged  of  him  often  not  to 
take  so  much  trouble,  as  /was  naturally  the  proper  nurse 
for  mamma,  but  he  wouldn't  hear  of  it,  and  insisted  on 
carrying  breakfast,  dinner,  and  tea  to  her,  besides  giving 
her  all  her  medicine.     He  was  forever  making  mistakes, 
however,  much  to  his  own  sorrow,  the  darling  man ;  and 


edly  into  a 
I  been  his 
re  covered 

!  Charley, 
h  long  let- 
difficult  he 
ou  remem- 
ther  skin  a 
!tter."  He 
I  need  not 
llent  corre- 
j  now  for  a 
3  house  for 
rt  of  illness 
and  at  one 
ry  anxious 
have  made 
ly  in  which 
fancied  that 
ake  a  sick- 
d  with  such 

very  sweet 
jan  to  tend 
•  Mr.  Addi- 
se  on  tiptoe, 
.  his  raocca- 
e  the  heels 
)ften  not  to 
I  roper  nurse 

insisted  on 
sides  giving 
ng  mistakes, 
g  man ;  and 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH.  305 

I  had  to  watch  him  pretty  closely,  for  more  than  once  he 
has  been  on  the  point  of  giving  mamma  a  glass  of  lauda 
num  m  m.take  for  a  glass  of  port  wine.  \  was  a  got^ 
deal  fnghtened  for-  him  at  first,  as,  before  he  became 
accustomed  to  the  work,  he  tumbled  over  the  chai  s  and 
tnpped  on  the  carpets  while  carrying  trays  with  dinners 
and  breakfasts,  till  I  thought  he  woufd  really  injar    hTm 

::  at  ^^'  r  '^  ^-^ '-  ''-'''^  -^^  ^^^^  ^1- 

thmk  he  has  broken  nearly  an  entire  dinner  and  tea-  et  of 
crockery.  Poor  George,  the  cook,  has  suffered  mo!t  frlm 
hese  mishaps  for  you  know  that  dear  papa  cannot  get 
a  gry  without  letting  a  little  of  it  out  upon  somebody  and 
whenever  he  broke  a  dish  or  let  a  tray  fall,  he  u4d  to 

ask  him,  m  a  fierce  voice,  what  he  meant  by  it.     But  he 
alvv^ys  got  better  in  a  few  seconds,  and  finished  off  by 
telling  him  never  to  mind,  that  he  was  a  good  servant 
on  the  whole    and  he  wouldn't  say  any  mle  abo  t  i 
ju.    now  but  he  had  better  look  sharp  out  and  not  do  i 
agam.     I  must  say,  in  praise  of  George,  that  or  such 

ccasions  he  looked  very  sorry  indeed,  and  said  he  hoped 
^at  he  woul    always  do  his  best  to  give  him  satisfacln 
Ihis  was  only  proper  in  him,  for  he  ought  to  be  veir 
tlmnkful  that  our  father  restrains  his  anger  so  much  •  fo^ 
you    now  he  was  rather  violent  once,  and  you'vel  id  ^ 
Charley,  how  great  a  restraint  he  now  lays  on  himself 
He  seems  to  me  quite  like  a  lamb,  and  I  am  beginnrng  t* 
ee    so,,ehow  as  if  we  had  been  mistaken,  and  that'he 
"ever  was  a  passionate  man  at  all.     I  think  it  is  partly 
owing  to  dear   Mr.  Addison,  who  visits   us   very  fr  "^ 
quently  now,  and  papa  and  he  arP  nft^n  .h,.,  .,.  J^.... 

'  """"y  '"'"^  ■■"  «>«  smoking^house.    I  was  sure  that 

20 


^;f  Y 


!  I 


806 


SxN'OWFLAKES  AND   SUNBEAMS 


t,     Mi 


m  ,!p,i 


1 1 


I!     :l 


h      }  i 


papa  would  soon  come  to  like  him,  for  his  religion  is  so 
free  from  everything  like  severity  or  affected  solemnity. 
The  cook,  and  Rosa,  and  my  dog  that  you  named  Twist, 
are  all  quite  well.  The  last  has  grown  into  a  very  large 
and  beautiful  animal,  something  like  the  stag-hound  in 
the  picture-book  we  used  to  study  together  long  ago.  He 
AS  exceedingly  fond  of  me,  and  I  feel  him  to  be  quite  a 
protector.  The  cocks  and  hens,  the  cow  and  the  old 
mare,  are  also  in  perfect  health ;  so  now,  having  told  you 
a  good  deal  about  ourselves,  I  will  give  you  a  short  ac- 
count of  the  doings  in  the  colony. 

First  of  all,  your  old  friend  Mr.  Kipples  is  still  alive 
and  well,  and  so  are  all  our  old  companions  in  the  school. 
One  or  two  of  the  latter  have  left,  and  young  Naysmitli 
has  joined  the  Company's  service.  Betty  Peters  comes 
very  often  to  see  us,  and  she  always  asks  for  you  with 
great  earnestness.  I  think  you  have  stolen  the  old  wom- 
an's heart,  Charley,  for  she  speaks  of  you  with  great 
affection.  Old  Mr.  Seaforth  is  still  as  vigorous  as  ever, 
dashing  about  the  settlement  on  a  high-mettled  steed, 
just  as  if  he  were  one  of  the  youngest  men  in  the  colony. 
He  nearly  poisoned  himself,  poor  man !  a  month  ago,  by 
taking  a  dose  of  some  kind  of  medicine  by  mistake.  I 
did  not  hear  what  it  was,  but  I  am  told  that  the  treatment 
was  rather  severe.  Fortunately  the  doctor  happened  to 
be  at  home  when  he  was  sent  for,  else  our  old  friend 
would,  I  fear,  have  died.  As  it  was,  the  doctor  cured  him 
with  great  difficulty.  He  first  gave  him  an  emetic,  then 
put  mustard  blisters  to  the  soles  of  his  feet,  and  afterwards 
lifted  him  into  one  of  his  own  carts,  without  springs,  in 
which  he  drove  him  for  a  long  time  over  all  the  ploughed 
fields  in  the  neighborhood.  If  this  is  not  an  exaggerated 
account,  Mr.  Seaforth  is  certainly  made  of  sterner  stufi 


FROM  THE  FAR   NORTH. 


307 


than  most  men.     I  was  told  a  funny  anecdote  of  him  a 
hw  days  ago,  which  I  am  sure  you  have  never  heard 
otherwise  you  would  have  told  it  to  me,  for  there  used  to 
be  no  secrets  between  us,  Charley,  -  alas  !  I  have  no  one 
to  confide  in,  or  advise  with,  now  that  you  are  gone.     You 
h^ve  often  heard  of  the  great  flood  — not  Noah's  one  — 
but  the  flood  that  nearly  swept  away  our  settlement,  ind 
did  so  much  damage  before  you  and  I  were  born.     Well 
you  recollect  that  people  «sed  to  tell  of  the  way  in  which 
the  river  rose  after  the  breaking  up  of  the  ice,  and  how  it 
soon  overflowed  all  the  low  points,  sweeping  off  every- 
thing  in  its  course.     Old  Mr.  Seaforth's  house  stood  at 
that  time  on  the  little  point,  just  beyond  the  curve  of  the 
river,  at  the  foot  of  which  our  own  house  stands,  and  as 
the  river  continued  to  rise,  Mr.  Seaforth  went  about  ac- 
tively securing  his  property.     At  first  he  only  thought  of 
his  boat  and  canoes,  which,  with  the  help  of  his  son  Peter 
and  a  Canadian,  who  happened  at  the  time  to  be  em- 
ployed about  the  place,  he  dragged  up  and  secured  to  an 
iron  staple  in  the  side  of  his  house.     Soon,  however,  hp 
found  that  the  danger  was  greater  than  at  first  he  im- 
agined.    The   point   became  completely  covered   with 
water,   which   brought   down   great   numbers    of   half 
drowned  and  qu^te.dvo^,ned  cattle,   pigs,  and    poultry- 
and  stranded  them  at  the  garden  fence,  so  that  in  a  short 
time  poor  Mr.  Seaforth  could  scarcely  move  about  his 
overcrowded  domains.     On  seeing  this,  he  drove  his  own 
cattle  to  the  highest  land  in  his  neighborhood  and  has 
tened  back  to  the  house,  intending  to  carry  as  much  of  the 
lurmture  as  possible  to  the  same  place.     But  during  his 
short  absence,  the  river  had  risen  so  rapidly,  that  he  was     ' 
obliged  to  give  up  all  thoughts  of  this,  and  think  only  of 
securing  a  few  of  his  valuables.      The  bit  of  land  round 


(I 
1 


':  ( 


,   I 


i        I 


■.m 


Mm 


iiiiiiiii 


■ 

! 

1 

■f^^^sfii 

!i!'!-;i  I 


II       ! 


808 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


his  dwelling  was  so  thickly  covered  with  the  poor  cows, 
sheep,  and  other  animals,  that  he  could  scarcely  make  his 
way  to  the  house,  and  you  may  fancy  his  consternation 
on  reaching  it,  to  find  that  the  water  was  more  than  knee- 
deep  round  the  walls,  while  a  few  of  the  cows  and  a 
whole iierd  of  pigs  had  burst  open  the  door  (no  doubt  ac- 
cidentally) and  coolly  entered  the  dining-room,  where 
they  stood  with  drooping  heads,  very  wet,  and  apparently 
very  miserable.  The  Canadian  was  busy  at  the  back  of 
the  house,  loading  the  boat  and  canoes  with  everything  he 
could  lay  hands  on,  and  was  not  aware  of  the  foreign  in- 
vasion in  front.  Mr.  Seaforth  cared  little  for  this,  how- 
ever, and  began  to  collect  all  the  things  he  held  most 
, valuable,  and  threw  them  to  the  man,  who  stowed  them 
away  in  the  boat.  Peter  had  been  left  in  charge  of  the 
cattle,  so  they  had  to  work  hard.  While  thus  employed 
the  water  continued  to  rise  with  fearful  rapidity,  and 
rushed  against  the  house  like  a  mill-race,  so  that  it  soon 
became  evident  that  the  whole  would  ere  long  be  swept 
away.  Just  as  they  finished  loading  the  boat  and  canoes, 
the  staple  which  held  them  gave  way ;  in  a  moment  they 
were  swept  into  the  middle  of  the  river,  and  carried  out 
of  sight.  The  Canadian  was  in  the  boat  at  the  time  the 
staple  broke,  so  that  Mr.  Seaforth  was  now  left  in  a 
dwelling  that  bid  fair  to  emulate  Noah's  ark  in  an  hour 
or  two,  without  a  chance  of  escape,  and  with  no  better 
company  than  five  black  oxen,  in  the  dining-room,  besides 
three  sheep  that  were  now  scarcely  able  to  keep  their 
heads  above  water,  and  three  little  pigs  that  were  already 
drowned.  The  poor  old  man  did  his  best  to  push  out  the 
intruders,  but  only  succeeded  in  ejecting  two  sheep  and 
an  ox.  All  the  others  positively  refused  to  go,  so  he  was 
fain  to  let  them  stay.    By  shutting  the  outer  door,  he  sue- 


poor  cows, 
y  make  his 
isternation 
than  knee- 
3WS  and  a 
3  doubt  ac- 
Dm,  where 
apparently 
he  back  of 
irything  he 
foreign  in- 

this,  how- 
held  most 
owed  them 
irge  of  the 
s  employed 
pidity,  and 
hat  it  soon 
5  be  swept 
and  canoes, 
oment  they 
carried  out 
le  time  the 
V  left  in  a 
n  an  hour 

no  better 
om,  besides 
keep  their 
3re  already 
jsh  out  the 

sheep  and 
>,  so  he  was 
)or,  he  suc- 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


309 


ceeded  in  keeping  out  a  great  deal  of  water.     Then  he 
waded  into  the  parlor,  where  he  found  some  more  little 
pigs  floatmg  about  and  quite  dead.     Two,  however,  more 
adventurous  than  their  comrades,  had  saved  their  lives  by 
mounting  first  on  a  chair  and  then  upon  the  table,  where 
they  were  comfortably  seated,  gazing  languidly  at  their 
mother,  a   very   heavy   fat   sow,  which   sat,  with  what 
seemed  an  expression  of  settled  despair,  on  the  sofa.     In 
a  fit  of  wrath,  Mr.  Seaforth  seized  the   young  pigs  and 
tossed  them  out  of  the  window,  whereupon  the  old  one 
jumped  down,  and  half  walking,  half  swimming,  made  her 
way  to  her  companions  in   the  dining-room.     The  old 
gentleman    now  ascended  to  the  garret,  where,  from  a 
small  window,  he  looked  out  upon  the  scene  of  devasta- 
tion.     His  chief  anxiety  was  about  the  foundation  of  the 
house,  which,  being  made  of  a  wooden  framework,  like 
almost  all  the  others  in  the  colony,  would  certainly  float 
.         If  the  water  rose  much  higher.     His  fears  were  better 
^  founded  than   the  house.      As  he  looked  up  the  river, 
which  had   by  this  time  overflowed  all   its   banks   and 
was  spreading  over   the    plains,  he    saw  a  fresh    burst 
of   water  coming  down,  which,  when  it  dashed  against 
his   dwelling,  forced  it  about   two  yards  from  its  foun- 
dation.      Suddenly  he    remembered    that    there    was   a 
large  anchor  and  chain  in  the  kitchen,  both  of  which 
he  had  brought  there  one    day,  to  serve   as  a  sort  of 
anvil,  when   he   wanted    to  do    some    blacksmith  work. 
Hastening  down,  he  fastened  one  end  of  the  chain  to  the 
sofa,  and  cast  the  anchor  out  of  the  window.     A  few 
minutes  afterwards  another  rush    of  water    struck   the 
building,  which  yielded  to  pressure,  and  swun-  slowly 
down  until    the    anchor  arrestea    its    further   progress. 
This  was  only  for  a  few  seconds,  however.     The  chain     . 


r~l 


'IPl 


'' 

'•    '       ii 

I* 

'1! 


HI  ,1  11 


1  !  'ALL  !s- 

f 
1 

111 
ill 

310 


SNOWFLAKES   AND   SUNBEAMS 


was  a  slight  one.  It  snapped,  and  the  house  swept  ma- 
jestically down  the  stream,  while  its  terrified  owner 
scrambled  to  the  roof,  which  he  found  already  in  posses- 
sion of  his  favorite  cat.  Here  he  had  a  clear  view  of  his 
situation.  The  plains  were  converted  into  a  lake,  above 
whose  surface  rose  trees  and  houses,  several  of  which,  like 
his  own,  were  floating  on  the  stream  or  stranded  among 
shallows.  Settlers  were  rowing  about  in  boats  and  canoes 
in  all  directions,  but,  although  some  of  them  noticed  the 
poor  man  sitting  beside  his  cat  on  the  house-top,  they 
were  either  too  far  off  or  had  no  time  to  render  him 
assistance. 

For  two  days  nothing  was  heard  of  old  Mr.  Seaforth. 
Indeed  the  settlers  had  too  much  to  do  in  saving  them- 
selves and  their  families  to  think  of  others  ;  and  it  was 
not  until  the  third  day  that  people  began  to  inquire  about 
him.  His  son  Peter  had  taken  a  canoe  and  made  dili- 
gent search  in  all  directions ;  but  altliough  he  found  the 
house  sticking  on  a  shallow  point,  neither  his  father  nor 
the  cat  were  on,  or  in  it.  At  last  he  was  brought  to  the 
island,  on  which  nearly  half  the  colony  had  collected,  by 
an  Indian  who  had  passed  the  house  and  '  ""mnrht  him 
away  in  his  canoe  along  with  the  old  cat.     i  i.  a 

wonderful  man,  to  have  come  through  so  much  '  ~M 

age  ?  and  he  is  still  so  active  and  hearty  !  Mr.  c  ,.  an  of 
the  mill  is  dead.  He  died  of  fever  last  week.  Poor  old 
Mr.  Cordon  is  also  gone.  His  end  was  very  sad.  About 
a  month  ago  he  ordered  his  horse  and  rode  off,  intending 
to  visit  Fort  Garry.  At  the  turn  of  the  road,  just  above 
Grant's  House,  the  horse  suddenly  swerved,  and  its  rider 
was  thrown  to  the  ground.  He  did  not  live  more  than 
half  an  hour  after  it.  Alas !  how  very  sad  to  see  a  man, 
after  escaping  all  the  countless  dangers  of  a  long  life  in 


FROM  THK  FAR  NORTH. 


811 


swept  ma- 
icd  owner 
in  posses- 
k'iew  of  his 
ake,  above 
which,  Hke 
led  among 
and  canoes 
loticed  tlie 
e-top,  they 
ender  him 

'.  Seaforth. 
ving  them- 
and  it  was 
\\ure  about 
made  dili- 
!  found  the 
father  nor 
ght  to  the 
)llP2ted,  by 
"riirrht  him 
L  a 
1  '.  'M 

[r.  c  ..  an  of 
Poor  old 
id.  About 
',  intending 
just  above 
nd  its  rider 
more  than 
see  a  man, 
ong  life  in 


the  woods,  (and  his,  you  know. 


was  a  very  adventurous 


one,)  thus  cut  violently  down  in  his  old  age  !     O  Char- 
ley, how  little  we  know  what  is  before  us !     How  need- 
ful to  have  our  peace  made  with  God  through  Jesus 
Christ,  so  that  we  may  be  ready  at  any  moment  when" 
our  FatlKT  calls  us  away.     There  are  many  events  of 
groat  mterest  that  have  occurred  here  since  you   left. 
You  will  be  glad  to  hear  that  Jane  Patterson  is  married 
to  our  excellent  friend  Mr.  Cameron,  who  has  taken  up  a 
store  near  to  us,  and  intends  to  run  a  boat  to  York  Fort 
next  summer.     There  has  been  another  marriage  here, 
which  will  cause  you  astonishment  at  least,  if  not  plea- 
sure.    Old  Mr.  Peters  has  married  Marie  Peltier !   What 
could  have  possessed  her  to  take  such  a  husband  ?     I  can- 
not understand  it.     Just  think  of  her,  Charley,  a  girl  of 

eighteen,  with  a  husband  of  seventy-five  ! 

• 
At  this  point  the  writing,  which  was  very  close,  and 
very  small,  terminated.      Harry  laid  it  down  with  a  deep 
sigh ;  wishing  much  that  Charley  had  thought  it  advisa- 
ble to  send  him  the  second  sheet  also.     As  wishes  and 
regrets  on   this  point  were   equally  unavailing,  he  en- 
deavored to  continue  it  in   imagination,  and  was  soon 
as  deeply  absorbed  in  following  Kate  through  the  well- 
remembered  scenes  of  Red  River,  as  he  had  been,  a 
short  time  before,  in  roaming  wiih  her  brother  over  the 
wide  prairies  of  the  Saskatchewan.     The  increasing  cold, 
however,  soon  warned  him  that  the  night  was  far°spent. 
He  rose  and  went  to  the  stove,  but  the  fire  had  gone  out, 
and  the  almost  irresistible  frost  of  these  regions  was  al- 
ready cooling  everything  in  Bachelors'  Hall  down  to  the 
freezing  point.     All  his  companions  hai  put  out  their 
candles,  and  were  busy,  doubtless,  dreaming  of  the  friends 


'itoi^Sm 


312 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


:i      il  11*1  hia 


!  i 


whoae  letters  had  struck  and  reawakened  the  long  dor- 
mant chords  that  used  to  echo  to  the  tones  and  scenes  of 
other  days.  With  a  slight  shiver,  Harry  returned  to  his 
apartment,  and  kneeled  to  thank  God  for  protecting  and 
preserving  his  absent  friends,  and  especially  for  sending 
him  "  good  news  from  a  far  land.'/  The  letter  with  the 
British  postmarks  on  it  was  placed  under  his  pillow. 
It  occupied  his  waking  and  sleeping  thoughts  that  night, 
and  it  was  the  first  thing  he  thougiit  of  and  re-read  on 
the  following  morning,  and  for  many  mornings  after- 
wards. Only  those  can  fully  estimate  the  value  of  such 
letters,  who  live  in  distant  lands,  where  letters  are  few  — 
very,  very  few — and  far  between. 


FBOM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


318 


CHAPTER  XXTTT. 

CHANGES;  HARRY  AND  HAMILTON  FIND  THAT  VARIETY  IS  INDEED 
CHARMING;  THE  LATTER  ASTONISHES  THE  FORMER  CONSIDERA- 
1  LY. 

rpiIREE  months  passed  away,  but  the  snow  still  lay 
A  deep,  and  white,  and  undiminished  around  York 
Fort.  Winter  — cold,  silent,  unyielding  winter  — still 
drew  its  white  mantle  closely  round  the  lonely  dwelling 
of  the  fur  traders  of  the  far  north. 

Icicles   hung,  as  they  had  done  for  months   before, 
from  the  eaves  of  every  house,  from  the  tall  black  scaf- 
fold on  which  the  great  bell  hung,  and  from  the  still 
taller  erection  that  had  been  put  up  as  an  outlook  for 
''the  ship"  in  summer.     At  the  present  time  it  com- 
manded a  bleak  view  of  the  frozen  sea.     Snow  covered 
every  house-top,  and  hung  in  ponderous  masses  from  their 
edges,  as  if  it  were  about  to  fall ;  but  it  never  fell,  it 
hung  there  in  the  same  position  day  after  day,  unmelted, 
unchanged.      Snow   covered  the    whole  land,  and    the 
frozen  river,  the  swamps,  the  sea-beach  and  the  sea  itself, 
as  far  as  the  eye  could  reach,-  seemed  like  a  pure  white 
carpet.      Snow  lined  the  upper  edge  of  every  paling, 
filled  up  the  keyhole  of  every  door,  embanked  about  half 
of  every  window,  stuck  in  little  knobs  on  the  top  of  every 
picket,  and  clung  in  masses  on  every  drooping  branch  of 
the  pine-trees  in  the  forest.     Frost  — sbnm  w^t\r^cr  fp^.f 
—  solidified,  surrounded,  and  pervaded  everything.    Mer- 


814 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


cury  was  congealed  by  it ;  vnpor  was  condensed  by  it ; 
iron  was  cooled  by  it  until  it  could  scarcely  bo  toucliod 
without  (as  the  men  expressed  it)  "burning"  the  fingers. 
Tiie  water-jugs  in  liaclielors'  Hall  and  the  water-buckets 
were  frozen  by  it,  nearly  to  the  bottom  ;  though  there 
Ji  was  a  good  stove  there,  and  the  Hall  was  not  usuutli/  a, 
cold  place  by  any  means.  The  breath  of  the  inhabitants 
was  congealed  by  it  on  the  window-panes,  until  they  had 
become  coated  with  ice  an  inch  thick.  The  breath  of 
the  men  was  rendered  white  and  opaque  by  it,  as  they 
panted  and  hurried  to  and  fro  about  their  ordinary  avo- 
cations ;  beating  their  gloved  hands  together,  and  stamp- 
ing th(;ir  well  wrapped-up  feet  on  the  hard  beaten  snow 
to  keep  them  warm.  Old  Robin's  nose  seemed  to  be 
entirely  shrivelled  up  into  his  face  by  it,  as  he  drove  his 
ox-cart  to  the  river,  to  fetch  his  daily  supply  of  water. 
The  only  things  that  were  not  affected  by  it  were  the 
fires,  wliich  crackled  and  roared  as  if  in  laughter,  and 
twisted  and  leapt  as  if  in  uncontrollable  glee  at  the  bare 
idea  of  John  Frost  acquiring,  by  any  artifice  whatever, 
the  smallest  possible  influence  over  them  !  Three  months 
had  elapsed,  but  frost  and  snow,  instead  of  abating,  had 
gone  on  increasing  and  intensifying,  deepening  and  ex- 
tending its  work,  and  riveting  its  chains.  Winter — cold, 
silent,  unyielding  winter  —  still  reigned  at  York  Fort,  as 
though  it  had  made  it  a  sine  qua  non  of  its  existence  at 
all  that  it  should  reign  there  forever  ! 

But  although  everything  was  thus  wintry  and  cold,  it 
was  by  no  means  cheerless  or  dreary.  A  bright  sun 
shone  in  the  blue  heavens  with  an  intenseness  of  bril- 
liancy that  was  quite  dazzling  to  the  eyes,  that  elated  the 
spirits,  and  caused  man  and  beast  to  tread  with  a  more 
e?ustic  step  than  usual.     Although  the  sun  looked  down 


PROM  THE  FAR    NORTH. 


810 


nsed  by  it ; 
bo  touclied 
tbe  fingera. 
iiter-bucket8 
liough  tbere 
lOt  usiudly  a 
inhabitants 
til  they  Imd 
e  breath  of 
Y  it,  as  they 
'dinary  avo- 
and  stamp- 
leaten  snow 
emed  to  be 
le  drove  his 
ly  of  water, 
it  were  the 
ughter,  and 
at  the  bare 
;e  whatever, 
^iree  months 
abating,  had 
ng  and  ex- 
nter — cold, 
9rk  Fort,  as 
existence  at 

and  cold,  it 
bright  sun 
less  of  bril- 
it  elated  the 
with  a  more 
ooked  down 


upon  the  scene  with  an  unclouded  face,  and  found  a 
mirror  in  every  icicle,  and  in  every  gem  of  hoaHrost 
with  which  the  objects  of  nature  were  loaded,  there 
was,  however,  no  perceptible  heat  in  his  rays.  They 
fell  on  the  white  earth  with  all  the  brightness  of  mid- 
summer, but  they  fell  powerless  as  moonbeams  in  the 
dead  of  winter. 

On  tin;  frozen  river,  just  in  front  of  the  gate  of  the 
fort,  a  group  of  men  and  dogs  were  assembled.  The 
dogs  were  four  in  number,  harnessed  to  a  small  flat 
sledge  of  the  slender  kind  used  by  Indians  to  drag  their 
furs  and  provisions  over  the  snow.  The  group  of 
men  was  composed  of  Mr.  Rogan,  and  the  inmates  of 
Bachelors*  Hall,  one  or  two  men  who  happened  to  be 
engaged  there  at  the  time  in  cutting  a  new  water-hole 
in  the  ice,  and  an  Indian,  who,  to  judge  from  his 
carefully  adjusted  costume,  the  snow-shoes  on  his  feet, 
and  the  short  whip  in  his  hand,  was  the  driver  of  the 
sledge,  and  was  about  to  start  on  a  journey.  Harry 
Somerville  and  young  Hamilton  were  also  wrapped  up 
more  carefully  than  usual. 

"  Good-bye,  then,  good-bye,"  said  Mr.  Rogan,  advanc- 
ing towards  the  Indian,  who  stood  beside  the  leading  dog, 
ready  to  start.  "  Take  care  of  our  young  friends ;  they've 
not  had  much  experience  in  travelling  yet ;  and  don't 
overdrive  your  dogs.  Treat  them  well  and  they'll  do 
more  work.  They're  like  men  in  that  respect."  ^r. 
Rogan  shook  the  Indian  by  the  hand,  and  the  latter  im- 
mediately flourished  the  whip  and  gave  a  shout,  which 
the  dogs  no  sooner  heard  than  they  uttered  a  simultane- 
ous yell,  sprang  forward  with  a  jerk,  and  scampered  up 
the  river,  closely  followed  by  their  dark-skinned  driver. 
"  Now,  lads,  farewell,"  said  the  old  gentleman,  turning 


-f 


316 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


with  a  kindly  smile  to  our  two  friends,  who  were  shaking 
hands  for  the  last  time  with  their  comrades.  "  I'm  sorry 
you're  going  to  leave  us,  my  boys.  You've  done  your 
duty  well  while  here,  and  I  would  willingly  have  kept 
you  a  little  longer  with  me,  but  our  governor  wills  it  other- 
wise. However,  I  trust  that  you'll  be  happy  wherever 
you  may  be  sent.  Don't  forget  to  write  to  me  —  God 
bless  you  —  farewell." 

Mr.  Rogan  shook  them  heartily  by  the  hand,  turned 
short  round,  and  walked  slowly  up  to  his  house,  with 
an  expression  of  sadness  on  his  mild  face,  while  Harry 
and  Hamilton,  having  once  more  waved  farewell  to 
their  friends,  marched  up  the  river  side  by  side  in 
silence.  They  followed  the  track  left  by  the  dog-sledge, 
which  guided  them  with  unerring  certainty,  although 
their  Indian  leader  and  his  team  were  out  of  sight  in 
advance. 

A  week  previous  to  this  time,  an  Indian  arrived  from 
.  the  interior,  bearing  a  letter  from  head-quarters,  which 
directed  that  Messrs.  Somerville  and  Hamilton  should  be 
forthwith  despatched  on  snow-shoes  to  Norway  House. 
As  this  establishment  is  about  three  hundred  miles  from 
the  sea-coast,  the  order  involved  a  journey  of  nearly  two 
weeks'  duration,  through  a  country  that  was  utterly 
destitute  of  inhabitants.  On  receiving  a  command  from 
Mr.  Rogan  to  prepare  for  an  early  start,  Harry  retired 
precipitately  to  his  own  room,  and  there,  after  cutting 
unheard-of  capers,  and  giving  vent  to  sudden  incompre- 
hensible shouts,  all  indicative  of  the  highest  state  of 
delight,  he  condescended  to  tell  his  companions  of  his 
good  fortune,  and  set  about  preparations  without  delayjl 
Hamilton,  on  the  contrary,  arave  his  usual  niiifit  smile  on 
being  informed  of  his  destination,  and,  returning  some- 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


317 


what  pensively  to  Bachelors'  Hall,  proceeded  leisurely  to 
make  the  necessary  arrangements  for  departure.     As  the 
time  drew  on,  however,  a  perpetual  flush  on  his  counte- 
nance, and  an  unusual  brilliancy  about  his  eye,  showed 
that  he   was  not   quite  insensible  to  the  pleasures  of  a 
change,  and  relished  the  idea  more  than  he  got  credit  for. 
Tlie  Indian  who  had  brought  the  letter  was  ordered  to* 
hold  himself  in  readiness  to  retrace  his  steps  and  conduct 
the  young  men  through  the  ^oods  to  Norway  House, 
where  they  were  to  await  ^rther  orders.     A  few  dayj 
later,  the  three  travellers,  as  already  related,  set  out  on 
their  journey. 

After  walking  a  mile  up  the  river,  they  passed  a  point 
of  land  which  shut  out  the  fort  from  view.  Here  they 
paused  to  take  a  last  look,  and  then  pressed  forward  in 
silence,  the  thoughts  of  each  being  busy  with  mingled 
recollections  of  their  late  home,  and  anticipations  of  the 
future.  After  an  hour's  sharp  walking  they  came  in  si^rht 
of  the  guide,  and  slackened  their  pace.  ° 

"  Well,  Hamilton,"  said  Harry,  throwing  off  his  reverie 
with  a  deep  sigh,  "  are  you  glad  to  leave  York  Fort  or 
sorry  ?  "  ' 

"Glad,  undoubtedly,"  replied  Hamilton,  "but  sorry  to 
part  from  our  old   companions  there.     I   had  no  idea 
Harry,  that  I  loved  them  all  so  much  ;   I  feel  as  if  I 
should  be  glad  were  the  order  for  us  to  leave  them  coun- 
termanded even  now." 

"  That's  the  very  thought,"  said  Harry,  « that  was 
passmg  through  my  own  brain  when  I  spoke  to  you 
Yet,  somehow,  I  think  I  should  be  uncommonly  sorry 
alter  all,  if  we  were  really  sent  back.  There's  a  queer 
contradiction,  Hammy ;  we're  sorrv  and  H-.,.  „.  .u^ 
same  time!  If  I  were  the  skipper^ow,  I  would  foj^d 
a  philosophical  argument  upon  it." 


r'l'  ''ill 


lllll 


318 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


"  Which  the  skipper  would  carry  on  with  untiring 
vigor,"  said  Hamilton,  smiling,  "  and  afterwards  make  an 
entry  of  in  his  log.  But  I  think,  Harry,  that  to  feel  the 
emotion  of  sorrow  and  joy  at  the  same  time  is  not  such  a 
contradiction  as  it  at  first  appears." 

"  Perhaps  not,"  replied  Harry ;  "  but  it  seems  very 
contradictory  to  me,  and  yet,  it's  an  evident  fact,  —  for  I'm 
very  sorry  to  leave  ihem^  and  I'm  very  happy  to  have  you 
for  my  companion  here."# 

"  So  am  I,  so  am  I,"  n^d  the  other,  heartily.  "  I 
would  rather  travel  with  you,  Harry,  than  with  any  of 
our  late  companions,  —  although  I  like  them  all  very 
much" 

The  two  friends  had  grown,  almost  imperceptibly,  in 
each  other's  esteem  during  their  residence  under  the  same 
roof,  more  than  either  of  them  would  have  believed  pos- 
sible. The  gay,  reckless  hilarity  of  the  one  did  not  at 
first  accord  with  the  quiet  gravity,  and,  as  his  comrades 
styled  it,  softness^  of  the  other.  But  character  is  fre- 
quently misjudged  at  first  sight,  —  and  sometimes  men, 
who,  on  a  first  acquaintance,  have  felt  repelled  from  each 
other,  have,  on  coming  to  know  each  other  better,  dis- 
covered traits  and  good  qualities  that,  ere  long,  formed 
enduring  bonds  of  sympathy,  and  have  learned  to  love 
those  whom  at  first  they  felt  disposed  to  dislike  or  de- 
spise. Thus,  Harry  soon  came  to  know  that  what  he  at 
first  thought,  and  along  with  his  companions,  called,  soft- 
ness in  Hamilton,  was  in  reality  gentleness  of  disposition, 
and  thorough  good-nature,  united  in  one  who  happened 
to  be  utterly  unacquainted  with  the  knowing  ways  of  this 
peculiarly  sharp  and  clever  world  ;  while,  in  the  course 
of  time,  new  qualities  showed  themselves  in  a  quiet,  un- 
obtrusive wav  that  \von  UDon  his  affections  and  raised 


fH 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


319 


his  esteem.  On  the  other  hand,  Hamilton  found  that, 
although  Harry  was  volatile,  and  possessed  of  an  irre' 
sistible  tendency  to  fun  and  mischief,  he  never  by  any 
chance  gave  way  to  anger,  or  allowed  malice  to  enter 
into  his  practical  jokes.  Indeed,  he  often  observed  him 
restrain  his  natural  tendencies  when  they  were  at  all 
likely  to  give  pain,  — though  Harry  never  dreamed  that 
such  efforts  were  known  to  any  one  but  himself.  Besides 
this,  Harry  was  peculiarly  unseljish  ;  and  when  a  man  is 
possessed  of  this  inestimable  disposition,  he  is  not  quite, 
but  very  nearly,  perfect ! 

After  another  pause,  during  which  the  party  had  left 
the  open  river  and  directed  their  course  through  the 
woods,  where  the  depth  of  the  snow  obliged  them  to 
tread  in  each  other's  footsteps,  Harry  resumed  the  con- 
versation. 

"  You  have  not  yet  told  me,  by  the  by,  what  old  Mr. 
Rogan  said  to  you  just  before  we  started.  Did  he  give 
you  any  hint  as  to  where  you  might  be  sent  to  after 
reaching  Norway  House  ?  " 

«  No,  he  merely  said  he  knew  that  clerks  were  wanted 
both  for  Mackenzie  River  and  the  Saskatchewan  districts, 
but  he  did  not  know  which  I  was  destined  for." 

"Hum !  exactly  wl^^t  he  said  to  me,  with  the  slight 
addition  that  he  strongly  suspected  that  Mackenzie  River 
would  be  my  doom.  Are  you  aware,  Hammy,  my  boy, 
that  the  Saskatchewan  district  is  a  sort  of  terrestrial 
paradise,  and  Mackenzie  River  equivalent  to  Botanv 
Bay  ? "  ^ 

"  I  have  heard  as  much  during  our  conversations  in 

Bachelors'  Hall,  but Stop  a  bit,  Harry,  these  snow- 

sho    lines  of  mine  have  got  loosened  with  tearing  through 
tl  iS  deep  snow,  anrl  th«<P  slict^n"-!''  *h:-i-  u.,,i mi 


FT7JI 


'""iii 


320 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


ir  : 


lii.ki... 


—  they  are  right  now ;  go  on,  I  was  going  to  saj  that  I 
don't oh  ! " 

This  last  exclamation  was  elicited  from  Hamilton  by  a 
sharp  blow,  caused  by  a  branch  which,  catching  on  part 
of  Harry's  dress,  as  he  plodded  on  in  front,  suddenly 
rebounded  and  struck  him  across  the  face.  This  is  of 
common  occurrence  in  travelling  through  the  woods,  es- 
pecially to  those  who,  from  inexperience,  walk  too  closely 
on  the  heels  of  their  companions. 

"  What's  wrong  now,  Hammy  ?  "  inquired  his  friend, 
looking  over  his  shoulder. 

"  Oh,  nothing  worth  mentioning,  —  rather  a  sharp  blow 
from  a  branch,  that's  all." 

"  Well,  proceed  ;  you've  interrupted  yourself  twice  in 
what  you  were  going  to  say  ;  —  perhaps  it'll  come  out  if 
you  try  it  a  third  time." 

"  I  was  merely  going  to  say,  that  I  don't  much  care 
where  I  am  sent  to,  so  long  as  it  is  not  to  sCn.  outpost 
where  I  shall  be  all  alone." 

"  All  very  well,  my  friend ;  but  seeing  that  outposts 
are,  in  comparison  with  principal  forts,  about  a  hundred 
to  one,  your  chance  of  avoiding  them  is  rather  slight. 
However,  our  youth  and  want  of  experience  is  in  our 
favor,  as  they  like  to  send  mer^  who  have  seen  some 
service  to  outposts.  But  I  fear  that,  with  such  brilliant 
characters  as  you  and  I,  Hammy,  youth  will  only  be  an 
additional  recommendation,  and  inexperience  won't  last 
long.  —  Hallo  !  what's  going  on  yonder  ?  " 

Harry  pointed  as  he  spoke  to  an  open  spot  in  the 
woods,  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  in  advance,  where  a 
dark  object  was  seen  lying  on  the  snow,  writhing  about, 
now  coiling  into  a  lump,  and  anon  extending  itself  like  a 
huge  snake  in  agony. 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


821 


As  the  two  friends  looked,  a  prolonged  howl  floated 
towards  them. 

"Something  wrong  with  the  dogs,  I  declare  I"  cried 
Harry. 

"  No  doubt  of  it,"  replied  his  friend,  hurrying  forward, 
as  they  saw  their  Indian  guide  rise  from  the  ground  and 
flourish  his  whip  energetically,  while  the  howls  rapidly 
increased. 

A  few  minutes  brought  them  to  the  scene  of  action, 
where  they  found  the  dogs  engaged  in  a  flght  among 
themselves ;  and  the  driver  in  a  state  of  vehement  pas- 
sion, alternately  belaboring  and  trying  to  separate  them. 
Dogs  in  these  regions,  like  the  dogs  of  all  other  regions, 
we  suppose,  are  very  much  addicted  to  fighting ;  a  pro- 
pensity which  becomes  extremely  unpleasant,  if  indulged 
while  the  animals  are  in  harness,  as  they  then  become 
peculiarly  savage,  probably  from  their  being  unable,  like 
an  ill-assorted  pair  in  wedlock,  to  cut  or  break  the  ties 
that  bind  them.     Moreover,  they  twist  the  traces  into 
such  an  ingeniously  complicated  mass,  that  it  renders  dis- 
entanglement almost  impossible,  even  after  exhaustion 
has  reduced  them  to  obedience.     Besides  this,  they  are 
so  absorbed  in  worrying  each  other,  that,  for  the  time, 
they  are  utterly  regardless  of  their  driver's  lash  or  voice! 
This  naturally  makes  the  driver  angry ;  and  sometimes 
irascible  men  practice  shameful  cruelties  on   the  poor 
dogs.     When  the  two  friends  came  up,  they  found  the 
Indian  glaring  at  the  animals,  as  they  fought  and  writhed 
in  the  snow,  with  every  lineament  of  his  swarthy  face 
distorted  with  passion,  and  panting  from  the  late  exer- 
tions.    Suddenly  he  threw  himself  on  the  dogs  again, 
and  lashed  them  furiously  with  the  whip.     Finding  that 
this  had  no  effect,  he  twined  the  lash  round  his  hand  and 
21 


822 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBP:AMS 


ii    . 


Struck  them  violently  over  their  heads  and  snouts  with 
the  handle ;  then  falling  down  on  his  knees,  he  caught 
the  most  savage  of  the  animals  by  the  throat,  and  seizing 
its  nose  between  his  teeth,  almost  bit  it  off.  The  appal- 
ling yell  that  followed  this  cruel  act  seemed  to  subdue 
the  dogs,  for  they  ceased  to  fight,  and  crouched,  whining, 
in  the  snow. 

Wl  Vyund  like  a  tiger,  young  Hamilton  sprang 

upon  ti  .,uide,  and  seizing  him  by  the  throat,  hurled 
him  violently  to  the  ground.  "  Scoundrel ! "  he  cried, 
standing  over  the  crestfallen  Indian  with  flushed  face 
and  flashing  eyes, "  how  dare  you  thus  treat  the  creatures 
of  God  ?  " 

The  young  man  would  have  spoken  more,  but  his  in- 
dignation was  so  fierce  that  it  could  not  find  vent  in  words. 
For  a  moment  he  raised  his  fist,  as  if  he  meditated  dash- 
ing the  Indian  again  to  the  ground  as  he  slowly  arose; 
then,  as  if  changing  his  mind,  he  seized  him  by  the  back 
of  the  neck,  thrust  him  towards  the  panting  dogs,  and 
stood  in  silence  over  him  with  the  whip  grasped  firmly  in 
his  hand,  while  he  disentangled  the  traces. 

This  accomplished,  Hamilton  ordered  him,  in  a  voice 
of  suppressed  anger,  to  "  go  forward  "  —  an  order  which 
the  cowed  gui  e  promptly  obeyed  —  and,  in  a  few  min- 
utes more,  the  two  friends  were  again  alone. 

"  Hamilton,  my  boy,"  exclaimed  Harry,  who,  up  to  this 
moment,  seemed  to  have  been  petrified,  "  you  have  per- 
fectly amazed  me !     I'm  utterly  bewildered." 

"  Indeed,  I  fear  that  I  have  been  very  violent,"  said 
Hamilton,  blushing  deeply. 

"  Violent !  "  exclaimed  his  friend.  "  Why,  man,  I've 
completely  mistaken  your  character.     I,  I " 

*'  I   ho»^e  not-  Harrv."  said  Hamilton*  in  a  subdued 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


S23 


tono  ;  "  I  hope  not.  Believe  me,  I  am  not  naturally 
violent;  I  should  be  very  sorry  were  you  to  think  so. 
Indeed,  I  never  felt  thus  before,  and,  now  that  it  is  over, 
I  am  amazed  at  myself ;  but  surely  you'll  admit  that 
there  was  great  provocation.  Such  terrible  cruelty 
to "  ^ 

"  My  dear  fellow,  you  qiuTe  misunderstand  me.     I'm 

.amazed  at  your  pluck,  your  energy.     Soft,  indeed !  we 

have  been  most  egregiously  mistaken.     Provocation  !     I 

just  think  you  had  ;  my  only  sorrow  is,  that  you  didn't 

give  him  a  little  more." 

"  Come,  come,  Harry ;  I  see  you  vould  be  as  cruel  to 
him,  as  he  was  to  the  poor  dog.  But  let  us  press  for- 
ward ;  it  is  already  growing  dark,  and  we  must  not  let 
the  fellow  out  of  sight  ahead  of  us." 

'' Allans  doner  cried  Harry  ;  and,  hastening  their  steps, 
they  travelled  silently  and  rapidly  among  the  stems  of 
the  trees,  while  the  shades  of  night  gathered  slowly  round 
them. 

That  night,  the  three  travellers  encamped  in  the  snow, 
under  the  shelter  of  a  spreading  pine.    The  encampment 
was  formed  almost  exactly  in  a  similar  manner  to  that  in 
which  they  had  slept  on  the  night  of  their  exploits  at 
North  River.     They  talked  less,  however,  than  on  that 
occasion,  and  slept  more  soundly.    Before  retiring  to  rest, 
and   while  Harry  was  extended,   half  asleep   and  half 
awake,  on   his  green   blanket,  enjoying   the   delightful 
repose  that  follows  a  hard  day's  march  and  a  good  sup- 
per, Hamilton  drew  near  to  the  Indian,  who  sat,  sullenly 
smoking,  a  little  apart  from   the  young  men.      Sitting 
down  beside  him,  he  administered  a  long  rebuke,  in  a 
low,  grave  tone  of  voice.    Like  rebukes  generally,  it  had 
the  effect  of  making  the  visage  of  the  Indian  still  more 


f  ' 


f'i 


'i, 


824 


SNOVVFLAKES  AND  SUJ5BEAMS 


!  i 


sullen.  But  the  young  man  did  not  appear  to  notu  ;: 
this  ;  he  still  continued  to  talk.  As  he  went  on,  the  look 
grew  less  and  less  sullen,  until  it  faded  entirely  away, 
and  was  succeeded  by  the  grave,  quiet,  respectful  expres- 
sion peculiar  to  the  face  of  the  North  American  Indian. 

Day   succeeded   day,  night  followed  night,  and   still 
found  them  plodding  laboriously  through  the  weary  waste 
of  snow,  or  encamping  under  the  trees  of  the  forest.  The 
two  friends  went  through  all  the  varied  stages  of  experi- 
ence which  are  included  in  what  is  called  "  becoming 
used  to  the  work,"  which  is  sometimes  a  modified  mean- 
ing of  the  expression  "  used  up."     They  started  with  a 
degree  of  vigor  that  one  would  have  thought  no  amount 
of  hard  work  could  possibly  abate.     They  became  aware 
of  the  melancholy  fact,  that  fatigue  unstrings  the  youngest 
and  toughest  sinews.     They  pressed  on,  however,  from 
stern  necessity,  and  found,  to  their  delight,  that  young 
muscles  recover  their  elasticity,  even  in  the  midst  of 
severe  exertion.     They  still  pressed  on,  and  discovered, 
to  their  dismay,  that  this  recovery  was  only  temporary, 
and  that  the  second  state  of  exhaustion  was  infinitely 
worse  than  the  first.     Still  they  pressed  on,  and  raised 
blisters  on  their  feet  and  toes,  that  caused  them  to  limp 
wofuUy  ;  then  they  learned  that  blisters  break,  and  take 
a  long  time  to  heal,  and  are  much  worse  to  walk  upon 
during  the  healing  process  than  they  are  at  the.  com- 
mencement, —  at  which  time  they  innocently  fancied  that 
nothing  could  be  more  dreadful.     Still  they  pressed  on, 
day  after  day,  and  found,  to  their  satisfaction,  that  such 
things  can  be  endured  and  overcome,  —  that  feet  and 
toes  can  become  hard  like  leather,  that  muscles  can  grow 
tough  as  India-rubber,  and  that  spirits  and  energy  can 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


825 


compass  of  a  day's  march  can  by  any  possibility  overcome. 
They  found  also,  from  experience,  that  their  conversation 
changed,  both  in  manner  and  subject,  as  they  progressed 
on  their  journey.     At  first    they  conversed  frequently, 
and  on  various  topics,  chiefly  on  the  probability  of  their 
being  sent  to  pleasant  places,  or  the  reverse.     Then  they 
spoke  less  frequently,  and  growled  occasionally,  as  they 
advanced  in  tie  painful  process  of  training.     After  that, 
as  they  began  to  get  hardy,  they  talked  of  the  trees,  the 
snow,  the  ice,  the  tracks  of  wild  animals  they  happened  to 
cross,  and  the  objects  of  nature  generally  that  came  under 
their  observation.     Then,  as  their  muscles  hardened,  and 
their  sinews  grew  tough,  and  the  day's  march  at  length 
became,  first,  a  matter  of  indifference,  and,  ultimately,  an 
absolute  pleasure,  they  chatted   cheerfully  on  any  and 
every  subject,  or  sang  occasionally,  when  the  sun  shone 
out,  and  cast  an  appearance  of  warmth  across  their  path. 
Thus  onward  they  pressed,  without  halt  or  stay,  day  after 
day,  through  wood  and  brake,  over  river  and  lake,  on 
ice  and  on  snow,  for  miles  and  miles  together,  ihvoucfh. 
the  great,  uninhabited,  frozen  wilderness. 


Tvmxiix 


til' 


i    i 


f  •  I 


'   >l 


h' 


326 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

HOPES   AND  FEARS;    AN  UNEXPECTED  MEETING ;»PHILOSOPHICAL 
TALK  BETWEEN  THE  UUNTER  AND  THE  PARSON. 

ON  arriving  at  Norway  House,  Harry  Somerville  and 
his  friend  Hamilton  found  that  they  were  to  remain 
at  that  establishment  during  an  indefinite  period  of  time, 
until  it  should  please  those  in  whose  hands  their  ultimate 
destination  lay,  to  direct  them  how  and  where  to  proceed. 
This  was  an  unlooked-for  trial  of  their  patience  ;  but, 
after  the  first  exclamation  of  disappointment,  they  made 
up  their  minds,  like  wise  men,  to  think  no  more  about  it, 
but  bide  their  time,  and  make  the  most  of  present  cir- 
cumstances. 

"You  see,"  remarked  Hamilton,  as  the  two  friends, 
after  having  had  an  audience  of  the  gentleman  in  charge 
of  the  establishment,  sauntered  towards  the  rocks  that 
overhang  the  margin  of  Playgreen  Lake,  "  you  see,  it  is 
of  no  use  to  fret  about  what  we  cannot  possibly  help. 
Nobody  within  three  hundred  miles  of  us  knows  where 
we  are  destined  to  spend  next  winter.  Perhaps  orders 
may  come  in  a  couple  of  weeks,  perhaps  in  a  couple  of 
months,  but  they  will  certainly  come  at  last.  Anyhow, 
it  is  of  no  use  thinking  about  it,  so  we  had  better  forget 
it,  and  make  the  best  of  things  as  we  find  them." 

"Ah!"  exclaimed  Harry,  "your  advice  is,  that  we 
should  by  all  means  be  happy,  and  if  we  can't  be  happy, 

UC  teo  uap^jj   aa   nc  isuU,       is  lllui  it  I 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


327 


"Just  so.     That's  it  exactly." 

"  Ho !  But  then,  you  see,  Ilamray,  you're  a  philoso- 
pher, and  I'm  not,  and  that  makes  all  the  difference.  I'm 
not  given  to  anticipating  evil,  but  I  cannot  help  dreading 
that  they  will  send  me  to  some  lonely,  swampy,  out-of- 
the-way  hole,  where  there  will  be  no  society,  no  shoot- 
ing, no  riding,  no  work  even,  to  speak  of,  ~  nothing, 
m  fact,  but  the  miserable  satisfaction  of  beincr  styled 
'bourgeois'  by  five  or  six  men,  wretched  outcasts  like 
myself." 

"Come,  Harry,"  cried  Hamilton,  "you  are  takincr  the 
very  worst  view  of  it.  There  certainly  are  plenty  of 
such  outposts  in  the  country,  but  you  know  very  well 
that  young  fellows  like  you  are  seldom  sent  to  such 
places." 

*'I  don't  know  that,"  interrupted  Harry;  "there's 
young  M' Andrew  ;  he  was  sent  to  an  outpost  up  the 
Mackenzie  his  second  year  in  the  service,  where  he  was 
all  but  starved,  and  had  to  live  for  about  two  weoks  on 
boiled  parchment.  Then  there's  poor  Forrester ;  he  was 
shipped  off  to  a  place  — the  name  of  which  I  never 
could  remember  — somewhere  between  the  headwaters 
of  the  Athabasca  Lake  and  the  North  Pole.  To  be  sure, 
he  had  good  shooting,  I'm  told,  but  he  had  only  four  la-' 
boring  men  to  enjoy  it  with  ;  and  he  has  been  there  ten 
years  now,  and  he  has  more  than  once  had  to  scraf)e  the 
rocks  of  that  detestable  stuff  called  tripe  de  roche  to  keep 

himself  alive.     And  then  there's " 

"  Very  true,"  interrupted  Hamilton  ;  «  then  there's 
your  friend  Charles  Kennedy,  whom  you  so  often  talk 
about,  and  many  other  young  fellows  we  know,  who  have 
been  sent  to  the  Saskatchewan,  and  to  the  Columbia,  and 
10  Athabasca,  and  to  a  host  of  other  capital  places,  where 


828 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


tliey  have  enough  of  society -— male  society,  at  least 

and  good  uport." 

The  young  men  had  climbed  a  rocky  eminence,  which 
commanded  a  view  of  the  lake  on  the  one  side,  and  the 
fort,  with  its  background  of  woods,  on  the  other.  Here 
they  sat  down  on  a  stone,  and  continued  for  some  time  to 
admire  the  scene  in  silence. 

"  Yes,"  said  Harry,  resuming  the  thread  of  discourse, 
"  you  are  right ;  we  have  a  good  chance  of  seeing  some 
pleasant  parts  of  the  country.  But  8us{  •  e  is  not 
pleasant.  Oh,  man,  if  they  would  only  send  me  up  the 
Saskatchewan  River!  I've  set  my  heart  upon  goin*^ 
there.  I'm  quite  sure  it's  the  very  best  place  in  the 
whole  country."  > 

"  You've  told  the  truth  that  time,  master,"  said  a  deep 
voice  behind  them. 

The  young  men  turned  quickly  round.  Close  beside 
them,  and  leaning  composedly  on  a  long  Indian  fowling- 
piece,  stood  a  tall,  broad-shouldered,  sunburnt  man,  ap- 
parently about  forty  years  of  age.  He  was  dressed  in 
the  usual  leathern  hunting  coat,  cloth  leggins,  fur  cap, 
mittens,  and  moccasons,  that  constitute  the  winter  <raib 
of  a  hunter ;  and  had  a  grave,  lirm,  but  good-humored 
expression  of  countenance. 

«  You've  told  the  truth  that  time,  master,"  he  repeated, 
without  moving  from  his  place.  "  The  Saskatchewan  is, 
to  my  mind,  the  best  place  in  the  whole  country,  and 
havin'  seen  a  considerable  deal  o'  places  in  my  time,  I 
can  speak  from  experience." 

"  Indeed,  friend,"  said  Harry,  "  I'm  glad  to  hear  you 
say  so.  Come,  sit  down  beside  us,  and  let's  hear  some- 
thing about  it." 

Thus  invited,  the  hunter  seated  himself  on   a  stone 
and  laid  his  gun  on  the  hollow  of  his  left  arm. 


FROM  THK  FAK  NOUTH. 


329 


«  First  of  all,  friend,"  continued  Harry,  "  do  ;:ou  be- 
long to  tlu;  fort  iiere?" 

«  No,"  replied  the  man,  "  I'm  stajin'  here  just  now, 
but  I  don't  belong  to  the  place." 

«  Where  do  you  come  from,  then ;  and  what's  your 
name  ?  " 

"  Why,  I've  comed  d'rect  from  the  Saskatchewan  with 
a  packet  o'  letters.  I'm  payin'  a  visit  to  the  missionary 
village  yonder  ; "  the  hunter  pointed,  as  he  spoke,  across 
the  lake;  "and  when  the  ice  breaks  up  I  shall  get  a  ca- 
noe and  return  again." 

"  And  your  name  ?  " 

«  Why  I've  got  four  or  five  names.  Somehow  or 
other,  people  have  given  me  a  nickname  wherever  I  ha' 
chanced  to  go.  But  my  true  name,  and  the  one  I  hail 
by  just  now,  is  Jacques  Caradoc." 

"Jacques  Caradoc!"  exclaimed  Harry,  starting  with 
surprise.  « You  knew  a  Charley  Kennedy  in  th^  Sas- 
katchewan, did  you  ?  " 

"  Tliat  did  I.     As  fine  a  lad  as  ever  pulled  a  trigger." 

"  Give  us  your  hand,  friend,"  exclaimed  Harry,  spring- 
ing forward  and  seizing  the  hunter's  large,  hard  fist  fn 
both  hands.  «  Why,  man,  Charley  is  my  dearest  friend, 
and  I  had  a  letter  from  him  some  time  ago,  in  which  he 
speaks  of  you,  and  says  you're  one  of  the  best  fellows  he 
ever  met." 

"  You  don't  say  so,"  replied  the  hunter,  returning 
Harry's  grasp  warmly,  while  his  eyes  sparkled  with 
pleasure,  and  a  quiet  smile  played  at  the  corners  of 
his  mouth.  , 

*'  Yes  I  do,"  said  Harry,  "  and  I'm  very  nearly  as  glad 
to  meet  with  you,  friend  Jacques,  as  I  would  be  to  meet 
With  him.    But  come.    It's  cold  work  talking  here.   Let's 


330 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


'in       1     i 


ii*" 


go  to  my  room.  There's  a  fire  in  the  stove.  Come 
along,  Hammy,"  and  taking  his  new  friend  by  the  arm, 
he  hurried  him  along  to  his  quarters  in  the  fort. 

Just  as  they  were  passing  Under  the  fort  gate,  a  large 
mass  of  snow  became  detached  from  a  house-top,  and  fell 
heavily  at  their  feet,  passing  within  an  inch  of  Hamilton's 
nose.  The  young  man  started  back  with  an  exclamation, 
and  became  very  red  in  the  face. 

«  Hallo  ! "  cried  Harry,  laughing,  "  got  a  fright,  Ham- 
my? That  went  so  close  to  your  chin,  that  it  almost 
saved  you  the  trouble  of  shaving." 

"  Yes,  I  got  a  little  fright  from  the  suddenness  of  it," 
said  Hamilton,  quietly. 

«  What  do  you  think  of  my  friend  there  ?  "  said  Harry 
to  Jacques,  in  a  low  voice,  pointing  to  Hamilton,  who 
walked  on  in  advance. 

"I've  not  seen  much  of  him,  master,"  replied  the  hun- 
ter. "  Had  I  been  asked  the  same  question  about  the 
same  lad  twenty  years  agone,  I  should  ha'  said  he  was 
soft,  and  perhaps  chicken-hearted.  But  I've  learned 
from  experience  to  judge  better  than  I  used  to  do.  I 
niver  thinks  o'  formin'  an  opinion  o'  any  one  till  I've 
seen  them  called  to  sudden  action.  It's  astonishin'  how 
some  faint-hearted  men  will  come  to  face  a  danger,  and 
put  on  an  awful  look  o'  courage,  if  they  only  get  warnin' 
—  but  take  them  by  surprise;  that's  the  way  to  try 
them."  ^ 

"  Well,  Jacques,  that  is  the  very  reason  why  I  ask 
your  opinion  of  Hamilton.  He  was  pretty  well  taken 
by  surprise  that  time,  I.think." 

"  True,  master,  but  that  kind  o'  start  don't  prove  much. 
Howe'ever,  I  don't  think  he's  easy  upset.  He  does  look 
uncommon  soft,  and  his  face  grew  red  when  the  snow  fell, 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


331 


but  his  eyebrow  and  his  under  lip  showed  that  it  wasn't 
from  fear." 

During  that  afternoon  and  the  greater  part  of  that 
night  the  three  friends  continued  in  close  conversation, 
Harry  sitting  in  front  of  the  stove,  with  his  hands  in  his 
pockets,  on  a  chair  tilted  as  usual  on  its  hind  legs,  and 
pouring  out  volleys  of  questions,  which  were  pitl^ily  an- 
swered by  the  good-humored,  loquacious  hunter,  who  sat 
behind  the  stove,  resting  his  elbows  on  his  knees,  and 
smoking  his  much-loved  pipe ;  while  Hamilton  reclined 
on  Harry's  bed,  and  listened  with  eager  avidity  to  anec- 
dotes, and  stories  which  seemed,  like  the  narrator's  pipe, 
to  be  inexhaustible. 

"  Good  night,  Jacques,  good  night,"  said  Harry,  as  the 
latter  rose  at  last  to  depart ;  "  I'm  delighted  to  have  had  a 
talk  with  you.  You  must  come  back  to-morrow.  I  want 
to  hear  more  about  your  friend  Redfeather.  Where  did 
you  say  you  left  him  ?  " 

"  In  the  Saskatchewan,  master.  He  said  that  he  would 
wait  there,  as  he'd  heer'd  the  missionary  was  comin'  up 
to  pay  the  Injins  a  visit." 

'  "  By  the  bye,  you're  going  over  to  the  missionary's 
place  to-morrow,  are  you  not  ?  " 

"  Yes,  I  am." 

"  Ah  !  then,  that'll  do.  I'll  go  over  with  you.  How 
far  off  is  it?" 

"  Three  miles,  or  thereabouts." 

"  Very  good.  Call  in  here  as  you  pass,  and  my  friend 
Hamilton  and  I  will  accompany  you.     Good  night." 

Jacques  thrust  his  pipe  into  his  bosom,  held  out  his 
horny  hand,  and  giving  his  young  friends  a  hearty  shake, 
turned  and  strode  from  the  room. 

On  the  following  day,  Jacques  called,  according  to  prom- 


II. 


;!  r. 


ui-    i 


!      fi 


li    i 


332 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


ise,  and  the  three  friends  set  off  together  to  visit  the 
Indian  village.  This  missionary  station  was  under  the 
management  of  a  Wesleyan  clergyman,  Pastor  Conway 
by  name,  an  excellent  man,  of  about  forty-five  years  of 
age,  with  an  energetic  mind  and  body,  a  bald  head,  a 
mild,  expressive  countenance,  and  a  robust  constitution. 
He  was  admirably  qualified  for  his  position,  having  a 
natural  aptitude  for  every  sort  of  work  that  man  is  usu- 
ally called  on  to  perform.  His  chief  care  was  for  the 
instruction  of  the  Indians,  whom  he  had  induced  to  set- 
tle around  him,  in  the  great  and  all-important  truths 
of  Christianity.  He  invented  an  alphabet,  and  taught 
them  to  write  and  read  their  own  language.  He  com- 
menced the  laborious  task  of  translating  the  Scriptures 
into  the  Cree  language  ;  and,  being  an  excellent  musician, 
he  instructed  his  converts  to  sing  in  parts  the  psalms  and 
Wesleyan  hymns,  many  of  which  are  exceedingly  beau- 
tiful. A  school  was  also  established,  and  a  church  built, 
under  his  superintendence,  so  that  the  natives  assembled, 
in  an  orderly  way,  in  a  commodious  sanctuary,  every 
Sabbath-day,  to  worship  God  ;  while  the  children  were 
instructed,  not  only  in  the  Scriptures,  and  made  familiar 
with  the  narrative  of  the  humiliation  and  exaltation  of 
our  blessed  Saviour,  but  were  also  taught  the  elementary 
branches  of  a  secular  education.  But  good  Pastor  Con- 
way's energy  did  not  stop  here.  Nature  had  gifted  him 
with  that  peculiar  genius  which  is  powerfully  expressed 
in  the  terra,  "  a  jack-of-all-trades."  He  could  turn  his 
hand  to  anything ;  and  being,  as  we  have  said,  an  ener- 
getic mail,  he  did  turn  his  hand  to  almost  everything.  If 
anything  happened  to  get  broken,  the  pastor  could  either 
mend  it  himself,  or  direct  how  it  was  to  be  done.  If  a 
house  was  to  be  built  for  a  new  family  of  red  men,  who 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTa 


333 


had  never  handled  a  saw  or  hammer  in  their  lives  and 
had  lived  up  to  that  time  in  tents,  the  pastor  lent  a  hand 
tobegm  it,  drew  out  the  plan,  (not  a  very  complicated 
thmg,  certamly,)  set  them  fairly  at  work,  and  kept  his 
eye  on  it  until  it  was  finished.  In  short,  the  worthy  pastor 
was  everthing  to  everybody,  « that  by  all  means  he  might 
gam  some."  ° 

Under  such  management,  the  village  flourished,  as  a 
matter  of  course,  although  it  did  not  increase  very  rapidly 
owing  to  the  almost   unconquerable  aversion  of  North 
American  Indians  to  take  up  a  settled  habitation. 

It  was  to  this  little  hamlet,  then,  that  our  three  friends 
directed  their  steps.  On  arriving,  they  found  Pastor  Con- 
way  in  a  sort  of  workshop,  giving  directions  to  an  Indian 
who  stood  with  a  soldering-iron  in  one  hand,  and  a  sheet 
of  tm  in  the  other,  which  he  was  about  to  apply  to  a 
cunous-looking  half-finished  machine,  that  bore  some  re- 
semblance  to  a  canoe. 

"  Ah,  my  friend  Jacques !  "  he  exclaimed,  as  the  hunter 
approached  him,  « the  very  man  I  wished  to  see ;  but  I 
beg  pardon,  gentlemen,  -  strangers,  I  perceive.  You 
are  heartily  welcome.  It  is  seldom  that  I  have  the  pleas- 
ure of  seeing  new  friends  in  my  wild  dwelling.  Pray 
come  with  me  to  my  house." 

Pastor  Conway  shook  hands  with  Harry  and  Hamilton 
with  a  degree  of  warmth  that  evinced  the  sincerity  of  his 
words.  The  young  men  thanked  him,  and  accepted  the 
invitation. 

As  they  turned  to  quit  the  workshop,  the  pastor  ob- 
en-ed  Jacques'  eye  fixed,  with  a  puzzled  expression  of 
countenance,  on  his  canoe. 

"You  have  never  seen  anvfhino-  \\h^  f^o*  i,^r__-  j 
•"■e  say,"  said  he,  with  a  smile. 


I'i.   ii 


I,  t 


834 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


"No,  sir;  T  never  did  see  such  a  queer  machine 
afore." 

"  It  is  a  tin  canoe,  with  which  I  hope  to  pass  through 
many  miles  of  country  this  spring,  on  my  way  to  visit  a 
tribe  of  Northern  Indians  ;  and  it  was  about  this  very 
thing  tliat  I  wanted  to  see  you,  my  friend." 

Jacques  made  no  reply,  but  cast  a  look  savoring  very 
slightly  of  contempt  on  the  unfinished  canoe  as  they 
turned  and  went  away. 

The  pastor's  dwelling  stood  at  one  end  of  the  village, 
a  view  of  which  it  commanded  from  the  back  windows, 
while  those  in  front  overlooked  the  lake.  It  was  pleas- 
antly situated,  and  pleasantly  tenanted,  for  the  pastor's 
wife  was  a  cheerful,  active  little  lady,  like-minded  with 
himself,  and  delighted  to  receive  and  entertain  strangers. 
To  her  care  Mr.  Conway  consigned  the  young  men,  after 
spending  a  short  time  in  conversation  with  them  ;  and 
then,  requesting  his  wife  to  show  them  through  the  vil- 
lage, he  took  Jacques  by  the  arm,  and  sauntered  out. 

"  Come  with  me,  Jacques,"  he  began,  "  I  have  some- 
what to  say  to  you.  I  had  not  time  to  broach  the  subject 
when  I  met  you  at  the  Company's  fort,  and  have  been 
anxious  to  see  you  ever  since.  You  tell  me  that  you 
have  met  with  my  friend  Redfeather  ?  " 

"  Yes,  sir ;  I  spent  a  week  or  two  with  him  last  fall. 
I  found  him  stayin'  with  his  tribe,  and  we  started  to  come 
down  here  together." 

"Ah!  that  is  the  very  point,"  exclaimed  the  pastor, 
"  that  I  wished  to  inquire  about.  I  firmly  believe  that 
God  has  opened  that  Indian's  eyes  to  see  the  truth  ;  and 
I  fully  expected,  from  what  he  said  when  we  last  met, 
that  he  would  have  made  up  his  mind  to  come  and  stay 
here." 


er  machine 


ass  thronsh 


FHOM  THE  FAR  NORTH.  335 

"As  to  what  the  Almighty  has  done  to  him,"  said  J,., 
quos,  m  a  reverential  tone  of  voice, "  I  don't  pretend' to 
know;  he  did  for  sartin  speak  and  act  too  in  ITZ 
I  never  seed  an  Injin  do  before  ;  _  b„,,  about  his  com  ^' 
K.re,.s,r  you  were  qnite  right;  he  did  mean  to  eome  and 
I  ve  no  doubt  will  come  yet." 

he'^l'ldv '■•:'''  ''7  ,<=»■"-«-"'  you-as  you  tell  me 

ne  intoiuiea.''     inquired  the  pastor. 

set'off  t"'  ^■'"'  T'  "■■' '"' ""''  ^' ""''  ■'''  «1"'»'' «'  I  'aid. 
St  off  ,„  come  here  together,  but  when  we  got  the  length 

o  Edmonton  House,  we  heerd  that  you  Jere  lin"'! 
o  pay  a  v,s,t  to  the  tribe  to  which  Redfeather  bin."' 
and  so  seen.'  that  it  was  o'  no  use  to  come  down  h":  .' 
away  just  to  turn  about  an'  go  up  agin,  he  stopped  thZ 
.0  wa,t  for  you,  for  he  knew  you  would  want  him  ^ 
interpret "  " 

"Ay,"  interrupted  the  pastor,  "that's  true.    I  have  two 
•ease,,  for  w.shing  to  have  him  here.     The  primar;  Zl 
Z  ""*  ''"  "'7  set  good  to  his  immortal  sou  ;  and  then 
.e  understands  English  so  well,  that  I  want  1  im  .0  C 
come  my  .nterpre.er;  for,  although  I  understand  the  C^e 
anguage  pretty  well  now,  I  find  i,  exceedingly  difficul 
to    xplam  the  doctrines  of  the  Bible  to  my  pLpleTn  " 
But  pardon  me,  I  interrupted  you."  ^ 

"I  was  only  going  to  say,"  resumed  Jacques,  « that  I 
".ade  up  my  mind  to  stay  with  him ;  but  they  ;a,  ted  a 

-  ^eiy  Hard,  an  I  had  nothm'  particular  to  do,  I  'greed 

eahrr/?7f  '  """''™'^^'-  "«•  ^'opped,'for  Red- 
teathei  an   I  ha'  struck  up  a  friendship  togither  -  a 

"ra^x;"^"^'"""""'''--'^*'^— '» 

"And  why  not  with  a  red  Indian,  friend  ?"  inquired 


33G 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


the  pastor,  while  a  shade  of  sadness  passed  over  his  mild 
features,  as  if  unpleasant  thoughts  had  been  roused  by 
the  hunter's  speech. 

"  Well,  it's  not  easy  to  say  why,"  rejoined  the  other, 
"I've  no  partic'lar  objection  to  the  redskins.  There's 
only  one  man  among  them  that  I  bears  a  grudge  agin, 
and  even  that  one  I'd  rayther  avoid  than  otherwise." 

"  But  you  $\\ou\(\  forgive  him,  Jacques;  the  Bible  tells 
us  not  only  to  bear  our  enemies  no  grudge,  but  to  love 
them  and  to  do  them  good." 

The  hunter's  brow  darkenedj  "  That's  impossible, 
sir,"  he  said  ;  "  I  couldn't  do  hi?n  a  good  turn  if  I  was 
10  try  ever  so  hard.  He  may  bless  his  stars  that  I  don't 
want  to  do  him  mischief;  but  to  love  him,  it's  jist  im- 
poss'ble." 

"  With  man  it  is  impossible,  but  with  God  all  things 
are  possible,"  said  the  pastor,  solemnly. 

Jacques'  naturally  philosophic,  though  untutored  mind, 
saw  the  force  of  this.  He  felt  that  God,  who  had  form- 
ed his  soul,  his  body,  and  the  wonderfully  complicated 
machinery  and  objects  of  nature,  which  were  patent  tr 
his  observant  and  reflective  mind  wherever  he  went, 
must,  of  necessity,  be  equally  able  to  alter,  influence,  and 
remould  them  all  according  to  his  will.  Common  sense 
was  sufficient  to  teach  him  this  ;  and  the  bold  hunter 
exhibited  no  oi-dinary  amount  of  common  sense  in  admit- 
ting the  fact  at  once ;  although,  in  the  case  under  dis- 
cussion, (the  loving  of  his  enemy,)  it  seemed  utterly 
impossible  to  his  feelings  and  experience.  The  frown, 
therefore,  passed  from  his  brow,  while  he  said  respect- 
fully, "  What  you  say,  sir,  is  true ;  I  believe,  though  I 
can't /ee/  it.  But  I  s'pose  the  reason  I  niver  felt  much 
urawn  to  the  reusivins  iSj  that  an  itiS  time  X  live'-i  m  ins 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


337 


lived  in  the 


settlements,  I  was  used  to  hoar  them  called  and  treated 
as  th.evin'  dogs,  an'  when  I  com'd  among  them  I  didn't 
see  much  to  alter  my  opinion.  Here  an'  there  I  have 
found  one  or  two  honest  Injins,  an'  Redfeather  is  as  true 
•  as  steel ;  but  the  most  o'  them  are  no  better  'than  they 
should  be.  I  s'pose  I  don't  think  much  o'  them  just 
because  they  are  redskins." 

^    "Ah,  Jacques,  you  will  excuse  me  if  I  say  that  there 
IS  not  much  sense  in  that  reason.    An  Indian  cannot  help 
he.ng  a  red  man  any  more  than  you  can  help  being  a 
white  one,  so  that  he  ought  not  to  be  despised  on  that 
account.     Besides,  God  made  him  what  he  is,  and  to  de- 
spise the  raork  of  God,  or  to  undervalue  it,  is  to  despise 
God  himself.     You  m  .y  indeed  despise,  or  rather,  abhor, 
the  sms  that  red  men  are  guilty  of;  but  if  you  despise 
t/iem  on  this  ground,  you  must  much  more  despiso  white 
men,  for  the^  are  guilty  of  greater  iniquities  than  Indians 
are.      They  have  more  knowledge,  and   are   therefore 
more  inexcusable  when  they  sin  ;  and  any  one  who  has 
travelled  much  ;nust  be  aware,  that,  in  regard  to  gen- 
eral  wickedness,  white  men  are  at  least  quite  as  bad  as 
Indians.     Depend  upon  it,  Jacques,  that  there   will  be 
Indians  found  in  heaven  at  the  last  day  as  well  as  white 
men.     (^od  is  no  respecter  of  persons." 

"I    niver  thought  much  on  that    subject  afore,  sir," 
returned  the  hunter;  "what  you  say  seems  reasonable 
enough.     Im  sure  an'  sartin,  any  way,  that  if  there's  a 
redskin  in  heaven  at  all,  Redfeather  will  be  there,  an'  I 
only  hope  that  I  may  be  there  too  to  keep  hi™  company." 
I  hope  so,  my  friend,"  said  the  pastor,  earnestly  ;  "  I 
hope  so  too,  with  all  my  heart.     And  if  you  will  accept 
of  tins  httle  book,  U  will  show  you  how  to  get  there." 
liie  missionary  drew  a  small,  plainly-bound  copy  of  the 

m2 


m 


338 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


I' 


i  'I 


til'-  ftmsmiflta^i 


Bible  from  liia  imcket,  as  he  spoko,  aiul  presented  it  to 
Jacques,  who  received  it  witii  a  smii(;  and  thanked  him; 
sayin;!;,  at  the  same  time,  thnt  lie  "was  not  much  up  to 
book-hirnin',  hut  he  wouM  read  it  with  phmsure." 

"  Now, -Jacques,"  said  the  pastor,  after  a  litthi  fartlier 
conversation  on  the  subject  of  the  Bible,  in  which  he 
endeavored  to  impniss  upon  him  the  absolute  necessity 
of  beingr  acquainted  with  the  blessed  truths  which  it  con- 
tains,—'' Now,  Jacques,  about  my  visit  to  the  Indians.  I 
intend,  if  the  Almifrhty  spares  me,  to  embark  in  yon  tin 
canoe  that  you  found  me  engaged  with,  and,  with  six 
men  to  work  it,  proceed  to  the  country  of  the  Knisteneux 
Indians,  visit  their  chief  cainf),  and  preach  to  them  there 
as  long  as  the  weather  will  permit.  When  the  season  is 
pretty  well  advanced  and  winter  threatens  to  cut  off  my 
retreat,  I  shall  reembark  in  my  canoe  and  return  home. 
By  this  means  I  hope  to  be  able  to  sow  the  good  seed  of 
Christian  truth  in  the  hearts  of  men,  who,  as  they  will 
not  come  to  this  settlement,  have  no  chance  of  being 
brought  under  the  power  of  the  gospel  by  any  other 
means." 

Jacques  gave  one  of  his  quiet  smiles  on  hearing  this. 
"  Right,  sir,  right,"  he  saitl,  with  some  energy  ;  "  I  have 
always  thought,  although  I  niver  made  bold  to  say  it 
before,  that  there  was  not  enough  o'  this  sort  o'  thing. 
It  has  alwiiys  seemed  to  me  a  kind  o'  madness  (excuse 
my  plainness  o'  speech,  sir)  in  you  pastors,  thinkin'  to 
make  the  redskins  come  an'  settle  round  you  like  so  many 
squaws,  and  dig  up  an'  grub  at  the  ground,  when  it's 
quite  clear  that  their  natur'  and  the  natur'o'  things  about 
them  meant  them  to  be  hunters.  An'  surely,  since  the 
Almighty  made  them  hunters,  he  intended  them  to  be 
hunters,  and  won't  refuse  to  make  them  Christians  on  that 


r* 


FROM  THE   FAR  NORTH.  30 j) 

account.^  A  redskin's  nafur'  Is  a  liuntii,' natiir',  n.i' nothin' 
on  nrth  '11  ever  make;  it  anytliin*^  else." 

"There  is  much  truth  in  what  jou  observe,  friend" 
rejonied  tlie  pastor ;  "  but  you  are  n(,t  aUoifether  ri-h't. 
Their  nature  may  be  ehannrod,  altliou-h,  c<u-tainly,  notldng 
on  earth  will  ehan-e  it.  Look  at  that  frozen  lake."  He 
pointed  to  the  wide  field  of  thiek  snow-covere.l  ice  that 
stretched  out  for  miles  like  a  sheet  of  white  marble  be- 
fore them.  «  Could  anything  on  earth  break  up  or  sink 
or  molt  that  ?  " 

"Nothin',"  replied  Jacques,  laconically. 
"  But  the  warm  beanjs  of  yon  glorious  sun  can  do  it " 
contmued  the  pastor,  pointing  upwards  as  he  spoke,  "and 
do  ,t  effectually  too  ;    so  that,  although  you  can  scarcely 
observe  the  piocess,  it  nevertheless  turns  the  hard,  thick, 
solid  ice  into  limpid  water  at  last.     So  \^  it  in  regard  tJ 
man.     Nothing  on  earth  can  change  his  heart  or  alter  his 
natjre  ;  but  our  Saviour,  who  is  called  the  Sun  of  rirrht- 
eousness,  can.    When  he  shines  into  a  man's  soul,  it  melts. 
Ihe  old  man  becomes  a  little  child,  — the  wild  savage  a 
Christian.     But  I  agree   with  you   in  thinking  that  we 
have  not  been  sufficiently  alive  to  the  necessity  of  seekin- 
to  convert  the  Indians  before  trying  to  gather  them  round 
us.     The  one  would  follow  as  a  natural  consequence,  I 
thmk,  of  the  other  ;  and  it  is  owing  to  this  conviction  that 
1  intend,  as  I  have  already  said,  to  make  a  journey  in 
spring  to  visit  those  who  will  not  or  cannot  come  to  visit 
me ;  and  now,  what  I  want  to  ask  is,  whether  you  will 
agree  to  accompany  me  as  steersman  and  guide  on  my 
expedition  ?  " 

The  hunter  slowly  shook  his  head.  «  I'm  afeerd  not, 
sir ;  I  have  already  promised  to  take  charge  of  a  canoe 
lor  the  Company.  I  would  much  rather  go  with  you,  but 
I  must  keep  my  word." 


'it\ 


M 


i!'!    .     ' 


T 


)     . 


840 


SN0WFLAKE8  AND  STJNBEAMS 


«  Certainly,  Jaoques,  certainly,  that  settles  the  question  ; 

you  cannot  go  with  me  —  unless "  the  pastor  paused 

as  if  in  thought  for  a  moment —  "  unless  you  can  per- 
suade them  to  let  you  off." 

"  Well,  sir,  T  can  try,"  returned  Jacques. 

"  Do,  and  I  need  not  say  how  happy  I  shall  be  if  you 
succeed.  Good  day,  friend,  good-bye;"  so  saying,  the 
missionary  shook  hands  with  the  hunter,  and  returned  to 
his  house,  while  Jacques  wended  his  way  to  the  villaf^e 
in  search  of  Harry  and  Hamilton. 


FROM  THE   FAR  NORTH. 


341 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

GOOD  NEWS  AND  KOMANTIC  SCENERY;  BEAR-UUNTINO  AND  ITS 

ItESULTS. 

JACQUES  failed  in  his  attempt  to  break  off  his  en- 
^  gagement  witii  the  fur  traders.  Tlie  genf'eman  in 
charge  of  Norway  House,  albeit  a  good-natured,  estima- 
ble man,  was  one  who  could  not  easily  brook  disappoint- 
ment, especially  in  matters  that  involved  the  interests  of 
the  Hudson's  Bay  Company  ;  so  Jacques  was  obliged  to 
bold  to  his  compact,  and  the  pastor  had  to  search  for 
another  guide. 

Spring  came,  and  with  it  the  awakening  (if  we  may 
use  the  expression)  of  the  country  from  the  long,  lethar-ic 
sleep  of  winter.  The  sun  burst  forth  with  irresistible 
power,  and  melted  all  before  it.  Ice  and  snow  quickly 
dissolved,  and  set  free  the  waters  of  swamp  and  river, 
lake  and  sea,  to  leap  and  sparkle  in  their  new-found 
liberty.  Birds  renewed  their  visits  to  the  regions  of  the 
north ;  frogs,  at  last  unfrozen,  opened  their  leathern  jaws 
to  croak  and  whistle  in  the  marshes ;  and  men  began 
their  preparations  for  a  summer  campaign. 

At  the  commencement  of  the  reason  an  express  arrived 
with  letters  from  head-quarters,  which,  among  other  mat- 
ters of  importance,  directed  that  Messrs.  Soraerville  and 
Hamilton  should  be  despatched  forthwith  to  the  Saskat- 
chewan district,  where,  on  reaching  Fort  Pitt,  they  were 


I  ) 


342 


SNOWFLAKKS  AND  SUNBKAMS 


.: 

Y 

J' 

l'^     -ii 

:  '-■    '.■■) 

!'! 

lU !,!     W. 


to    placo   tluMiisdvos    nt   flic  disposal  of  the  genfUinmi 
ill  charge  of  the  district.     It  need  scarcely  be  added  that 
tlie  yomvr  men  W(Te  overjoyed  on    reix-iving   this  niniost 
unhoped-for  intelligenns  and   that   Harry  expressed  his 
satisljiction  in  ids  usual  hilarious  niainier,  asserting  houk;- 
what   profanely,  in  the  excess  of  his  glee,  that  the  gov 
ernor-in-chief  of  Rupert's   Land  was  a  "  regular  hrick." 
Hamilton  agired  to  all  his  friend's  remarks  with  a  quiet 
smile,  accompanied  hy  a  slight  chuckle,  and  a  somewhitt 
desperate  attempt  at  a  cnper,  which  attempt,  hordeiing 
as  it  did  on  a  region  of  buffoonery  into  which  our  quiet 
and  gentlemanly  friend  had  never  dared  hitherto  to  ven- 
ture, i)roved  an  awkwanl  and  utter  failure.     He  fidt  this 
and  blushed  deeply. 

It   was   further  arranged  and    agreed   iqmn   that   the 
young  men  should  accompany  Jncciues  Caradoc  in  his 
cunoe.     Having  become  suiliciently  expert  canoe-men  to 
handle  their  paddles  well,  they  scouted  the  idea  of  taking 
men  with  them,  and  resolved  to  launch  boldly  forth  at 
once  as  bo?ia  fide  rwyageurs.     To  this  arrangement  Jac- 
ques, after  one  or  two  trials  to  test  their  skill,  agreed  ; 
and  very  shortly  after  the  arrival  of  the  express,  the  trio 
set  out  on  their  voyage,  amid  the  cheers  and  adieus  of 
the  entire  population  of  Norway  House,  who  were  assem- 
bled on  the  end  of  the  wooden  wharf  to  witness  their 
departure,   and  with  whom  they  had   managed,  durin^^ 
their  short  residence  at  that  place,  to  become   8i)ecial 
favorites.     A  month  later,  the  pastor  of  the  Indian  vil- 
lage, having  procured  a  trusty  guide,  embarked  in  his 
tin  canoe  with  a  crew  of  six  men,  and  followed  in  their 
track. 

In  process  of  time,  spring  merged  into  summer,  — a 
season  chiefly  characterized,  in  those  climes,  by  excessive 


m 


f KOM  TIIK  FAR  NORTH. 


348 


1  !»'■ 


heat  and  imiumembli,  clouds  of  im,M«|uilo8,  whose  vidoua 
and  inces.saMr  attacks  ivndor  life,  for  the  time  bein-,  « 
burden.     Our  three  voyuffeurs,  m.-nnwhilo  ascended  The 
Saskatchewan,    pcnHratin^r    .Km-i^.,-   each    day    into    the 
hyait  of  the  xXorth  American  c.M.finent.     On  arrivincr  at 
Fort  Pitt,  they  were  graciously  pennilted  to  rest  Ibr  tlu-ee 
days,  after  which  they  were  forwarded  to  another  district 
where  fresh  effbrts  wert-  bein-  n.ade  to  extend  tin.  fur 
trade   into  lands   hiibeito  almost   unvisited.     This   con- 
tinuation of  their  travels  was  (,uite  suited  to  the  tastes 
and  mclinations  of  Harry  and  llamihon,  and  was  hailed 
by  them  as  an  additional  reason  lor  selUgratulation.     As 
for  Jac(iues,  he  cared  little  to  what  part  of  the  world  he 
elianced  to  be  sent.     To  hunt,  to  toil  in  rain  and  in  sun- 
slune,  in  heat  and  in  cold,  at  the  paddle  or  on  the  snow- 
shoe,  was  his  vocation  ;  and  it  mattered  little  to  the  bold 
hunter  whether  he  i.lied  it  upon  the  plains  of  the  Sas- 
katchewan, or  among  the  woods  of  Athabasca.     Besides 
the  companions  of  his  travels  were  young,  active,  bold,' 
adventurous;  and,   therefore,  quite   suited   to   his   taste. 
Kedfeather,  too,  his  best  and  decirest  friend,  had  been 
n.duced  to  return  to  his  tribe  for  the  purpose  of  mediat- 
ing between  some  of  the  turbulent  members  of  it,  and  the 
white  men  who  had  gone  to  settle  among  them,  so  that 
the  prospect  of  again  associating  with  his  red  friend  was 
an  additional  element  in   his  satisfaction.     As  Charley 
Kennedy  was  also  in  this  district,  the  hope  of  seeing  him 
once  more  was  a  subject  of  such  unbounded  deli^dit  to 
Harry   Somerville,  and   so,   sympathetically,    to   young 
Hamdton,  that  it  was  with  difSculty  they  could  realize 
the  full  amount  of  their  good  fortune,  or  give  adequate 
expression  to  their  feelings.    It  is  therefore  probable  that 

there  never  wprp>  f)n.oi^>  kr.»>..;^~  j. n.      ,1         t 

^     -  •'  ""^^  ^ap^icr  uuvciicra  man  Jacques, 


341 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


MM 

1 


Hairy,  and  Hamilton,  as  they  shouldered  (heir  guns  and 
paddles,  shook  hands  with  the  inmates  of  Fort  Pitt,  and, 
with  light  steps  and  lighter  hearts,  launched  their  Janoe,' 
turned  their  bronzed  faces  once  more  to  the  summer  sun,' 
and  dipped  their  paddles  again  in  the  rippling  waters  of 
♦he  Saskatchewan  River. 

As  their  bark  was  exceedingly  small,  and  burdened 
with  but  little  lading,  they  resolved  to  abandon  the  usual 
route,  and  penetrate  the  wilderness  through  a  maze  of 
lakes  and  small  rivers  well  known  to  their  guide.  By 
this  arrangement  they  hoped  to  travel  more  speedily,  and 
avoid  navigating  a  long  sweep  of  the  river  by  making  a 
number  of  portages  ;  while,  at  the  same  time,  the  change- 
ful nature  of  the  route  was  likely  to  render  it  more  inter- 
esting. From  the  fact  of  its  being  seldom  travei-sed,  it 
was  also  more  likely  that  they  should  find  a  supply  of 
game  for  the  journey. 

Towards  sunset,  one  fine  day,  about  two  weeks  after 
their  departure  from  Fort  Pitt,  our  voyageurs  paddled 
their  canoe  round  a  wooded  point  of  land  that  jutted  out 
from,  and  partially  concealed,  the  mouth  of  a  large  river, 
down  whose  stream  they  had  dropped  leisurely  during 
the  last  three  days,  and  swept  out  upon  the  bosom  of  a 
large  lake.     This  was  one  of  those  sheets  of  water  which 
glitter  in  hundreds  on  the  green  bosom  of  America's  for- 
ests, and  are  so  numerous  and  comparatively  insignifi- 
cant, as  to  be  scarce  distinguished  by  a  name,  unless 
when  they  lie  directly  in  the  accustomed  route  of  the  fur 
traders.     But  although,  in  comparison  with  the  fresh- 
water oceans  of  the  Far  West,  this  lake  was  unnoticed 
and  almost  unknown,  it  would  by  no  means  have  been 
regarded  in  such  a  light  had  it  been  transported  to  the 
plains  of  England.     In  regard  to  picturesque  beauty,  it 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


45 


was  perhaps  unsurpassed.     It  might  be  about  six  miles 
wide,  and  so  long  that  the  land  at  the  further  end  of  it 
was  faintly  discernible  on  the  horizon.     Wooded  hills, 
sloping  gently  down  to  the  water's  edge,  —jutting  prom- 
ontories, some   rocky  and  barren,  others   more  or  less 
covered  with  trees,  -deep  bays,  retreating  in  some  places 
into  the  dark  recesses  of  a  savage-looking  gorge,  in  others 
into  a  distant  meadow-like  plain,  bordered  with  a  stripe 
of  yellow  sand, -beautiful  islands  of  various  sizes,  scat- 
tered alon^  the  shores  as  if  nestling  there  for  security,  or 
standing  barren  and  solitary  in  the  centre  of  the  lake, 
like  bulwarks  of  the  wilderness,  some  covered  with  luxu' 
riant  vegetation,  others  bald  and  grotesque  in  outline 
and  covered  with  gulls  and  other  wateifowl,  -  this  was' 
the  scene  that  broke  upon  the  view  of  the  travellers  as 
they  rounded  the  point,  and   ceasing  to  paddle,  gazed 
upon  It  long  and  in  deep  silence,  their  hands  raised  to 
shade  their  eyes  from  the  sun's  rays,  which  sparkled  in 
the  water,  and    fell,   here  in   bright   spots   and   brok.n 
patches,  and  there  in  yellow  floods,  upon  the  rocks,  the 
trees,  the  forest  glades  and  plains  around  them. 

"  What  a  glorious  scene!"  murmured  Hamilton,  almost 
unconsciously. 

"  A  perfect  paradise  ! "  said  Harry,  with  a  long-drawn 
sigh  of  satisfaction.  "Why,  Jacques,  my  friend,  it's  a 
matter  of  wonder  to  me  that  you,  a  free  man.  without 
relations  or  friends  to  curb  you,  or  attract  you  to  other 
parts  of  the  world,  should  go  boating  and  canoein-  all 
over  the  country  at  the  beck  of  the  fur  traders,  wheiryou 
might  come  and  pitch  your  tent  here  forever ! " 

"  Forever ! "  echoed  Jacques. 

"  Well,  I  mean  as  long  m  you  live  in  this  world." 

"  Ah,  master,"    rejoined   the  guide,  in  a  sad  tone  of 


346 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


voice,  "  it's  just  because  I  have  neither  kith,  nor  kin,  nor 
friends  to  draw  me  to  any  partic'lar  spot  on  arth,  that  I 
don't  care  to  settle  down  in  this  one,  beautiful  though  it 
be." 

"  True,  true,"  muttered  Harry,  «  man's  a  gregarious 
animal,  there's  no  doubt  of  that." 

"  Anon  ?  "  exclaimed  Jacques. 

"  I  meant  to  say  that  man  naturally  loves  company," 
replied  Harry,  smiling. 

"  An'  yit  I've  seen  some  as  didn't,  master,  though  to  be 
sure  that  was  onnat'ral,  and  there's  not  many  o'  them,  by 
good  luck.     Yes,  man's  fond  o'  seein'  the  face  o'  man." 

"  And  woman  too,"  interrupted  Harry.  '  Eh !  Hamil- 
ton, what  say  you  ?  — 

*  O  woman !  in  our  hours  of  ease, 
Uncertain,  coy,  and  hard  to  please, 
When  pain  and  an^iish  wring  tlie  brow 
A  ministering  angel  thou ! ' 

Alas!  Hammy,  pain  and  anguish  and  everything  else 
may  wring  our  unfortunate  brows  here  long  enough  be- 
fore woman, '  lovely  woman,'  will  come  to  our  aid.  What 
a  rare  sight  it  would  be,  now,  to  see  even  an  ordinarv 
house-maid  or  a  cook  out  here !  It  would  be  good  for 
sore  eyes.  It  seems  to  me  a  sort  of  horrible  untruth  to 
say  that  I've  not  seen  a  woman  since  I  left  Red  River, 
and  yet  it's  a  frightful  fact,  for  I  don't  count  the  copper- 
colored  nondescripts  one  meets  with  hereabouts  to  be 
women  at  all.  I  suppose  they  are,  but  they  don't  look 
like  it." 

"  Don't  be  a  goose,  Harry,"  said  Hamilton. 

«  Certainly  not,  my  friend.  If  I  were  under  the  dis- 
agreeable necessity  of  being  anything  but  what  I  am,  I 
should  rather  be  something  that  is  not  in  the  habit  of 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH.  347 

being  shot,"  replied  rhe  other,   padcHing  with   renewed 
vigor  m  order  to  get  rid  of  son.e  of  tlie  superabundant 
spints  that  the  beautiful  scene  and  brilliant  weather  al 
ing  on  a  young  and  ardent  nature,  had  called  forth.  ' 
'  i^ome  of  these  same  redskins,"  remarked  the  guide 
are  not  such  bad  sort  o'  women,  for  all  their  ill  looks! 
I  ve  know  d  more  than  one  that  was  a  firslrate  wife,  an' 
a  good  mother;  though  it's  true  they  had  little  edication, 
beyond  that  o'  the  woods." 

"  No   doubt   of    it,"   replied   Harry,  laughing  gayly 
''  How  shall  I  keep  the  canoe's  head,  jLques  P  "        ^  ^' 
"  Right  away  for  the  pint  that  lies  jist  between  you 
an'  the  sun."  ^ 

^'  Yes ;  I  give  them  all  credit  for  being  excellent  wives 
and  mothers,  after  a  fashion,"  resumed  Harry  ;  "  I've 
no  wish  to  asperse  the  character  of  the  poor  Indians  • 
but  you  must  know,  Jacques,  that  they're  very  different 
from  the  women  that  I  allude  to,  and  of  whom  Scott 
sung  His  heroines  were  of  a  very  different  stamp  and 
color ! " 

"Did  he  sing  of  niggers?"  inquired  Jacques,  simply. 

"  Of  niggers ! "  shouted  Harry,  looking  over  his  shoul- 
der at  Hamilton,  with  a  broad  grin ;  «  no,  Jacques,  not 
exactly  of  niggers "  ^      ' 

"Hist ! "  exclaimed  the  guide,  with  that  peculiar  sub- 
dued energy  that  at  once  indicates  ar>  unexpected  dis- 
covery,  and  enjoins  caution,  while,  at  the  same  moment 
by  a  deep,  powerful  back-stroke  of  his  paddle,  he  sud- 
denly checked  the  rapid  motion  of  the  canoe. 

Harry  and  his  friend  glanced  quickly  over  their  shoul- 

ders  with  a  look  of  surprise. 

"What's  in  \\io  ••'i*^'* -, 0  »t     1  .  ,    ,      - 

li-it.s  H!  mc  v,,i,u  nu;v :     wnispered  the  tbrmer. 

"  Stop  paddling^  masters,  and  look  ahead  at  the  rock 


348 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAiMS 


yonder,  jist  under  the  tall  cliff.  There's  a  bear  a-sittin' 
there,  an'  if  we  can  only  get  to  shore  afore  he  sees  us, 
we're  sartin  sure  of  him." 

As  the  guide  spoke,  he  slowly  edged  the  canoe  towards 
the  shore,  while  the  young  men  gazed  with  eager  looks  in 
the  direction  indicated,  where  they  beheld  what  appeared 
to  be  the  decayed  stump  of  an  old  tree,  or  a  mass  of 
brown  rock.  While  they  strained  their  eyes  to  see  it 
more  clearly,  tiie  object  altered  its  form  and  position. 

"  So  it  is,"  they  exclaimed  simultaneously,  in  a  tone 
that  was  equivalent  to  the  remark,  "  Now  we  believe,  be- 
cause we  see  it." 

In  a  few  seconds  the  bow  of  the  canoe  touched  the 
land,  so  lightly  as  to  be  quite  inaudible,  and  Harry,  step- 
ping gently  over  the  side,  drew  it  forward  a  couple  of 
feet,  while  his  companions  disembarked. 

"  Now,  Mister  Harry,"  said  the  guide,  as  he  slung  a 
powder-horn  and  shot-belt  over  his  shoulder,  "  we've  no 
need  to  circumvent  the  beast,  for  he's  circumvented  his- 
self." 

"How  so?"  inquired  the  other,  drawing  the  shot  from 
his  fowling-piece,  and  substituting  in  its  place  a  leaden 
bullet.  . 

Jacques  led  the  way  through  the  somewhat  thinly 
scattered  underwood,  as  he  replied,  "  You  see,  Mister 
Harry,  the  place  where  he's  gone  to  sun  hisself  is  jist  at 
the  foot  o'  a  sheer  precipice,  which  runs  round  ahead  of 
him,  and  juts  out  into  the  water,  so  that  he's  got  three 
ways  to  choose  between.  He  must  clamber  up  the  preci- 
pice, which  '11  take  him  some  time,  I  guess,  if  he  can  do  it 
at  all ;  or  he  must  take  to  the  water,  which  he  don't  like, 
and  won't  do  if  he  can  help  it ;  or  he  must  run  out  the 
way  he  went  in,  but  as  we  shall  go  to  meet  him  by  the 


FKOM  THE  FAR  NORTH.  349 

same  road,  he'll  have  to  break  our  ranks  before  he  gains 
the  woods,  an'  that  '11  be  no  easy  job." 

The  party  soon  reached  the  narrow  pass,  between  the 
ake  and  the  near  end  of  the  elitf,  where  ti.ey  advanced 
«.th  greater  caufon,  and,  peeping  over  the  low  bushes, 
beheld  bru,„.  a  large  brown  fellow,  sitting  on  his  haunch- 
es,  and  rocking  himself  slowly  to  and  fro,  as  he  ga^ed 
abs  r«eted  y  at  the  water.  ITe  was  scarcely  within  good 
shot,  but  the  cover  was  sufficiently  thick  to  admit  of  a 
nearer  approach. 

"Now,  Hamilton," said  Harry,  in  a  low  whisper,  "take 
.l|e^;;st  shot.     I  killed  the  last  one,  so  it's  your'tu'ru  thi! 

Hamilton  hesitated,  but  could  make  no  reasonable  ob- 
ject,„n  to  ,h,s,  although  his  unselfish  nature  prompted 
h.m  to  let  h,s  friend  have  the  first  chance.  However 
Jacques  decided  the  matter,  by  saying,  in  a  tone  that' 
savored  strongly  of  command,  although  it  was  accom- 
panied with  a  good-humored  smile,— 

"  Go  for'ard,  young  man ;  but  you  may  as  well  put  in 
the  primm  first." 

Poor  Hamilton  hastily  rectified  this  oversight,  with  a 
deep  blush,  at  the  same  time  muttering  that  he  never 
Wrf  make  a  hunter;  and  then  advanced  cautiously 
through  th,  bushes,  slowly  followed  at  a  short  distance 
0^'  nis  companions. 

On  reaching  a  bush  within  seventy  yards  of  the  bear, 
Hamilton  pushed  the  twigs  aside  with  the  muzzle  of  his 
gun;  hiseye  flashed,  and  his  courage  mounted,  as  he 

felt  more  of  the  hunter's  spirit  within  him  at  that  mo- 
ment  than  he  would  have  believed  possible  a  few  min- 
utes before.     Unfortunately,  a  hunter's  spirit  does  not 


arit?T*j 


350 


SNOWFLAKKS  AND  SUNBEAMS 


necessarily  imply  a  hunter's  eye  or  hand.  Having  with 
much  care,  and  long  time,  brougiit  his  piece  to  bear  ex- 
actly where  he  supposed  the  brute's  heart  should  be,  he 
observed  that  the  gun  was  on  half-cock,  by  nearly  break- 
ing the  trigger  in  his  (>onvulsive  efforts  to  fire.  By  the 
time  that  this  error  was  rectified,  bruin,  who  seemed  to 
feel  intuitively  that  some  imminent  danger  threatened 
him,  rose  and  began  to  move  about  uneasily,  which  so 
alarmed  the  young  hunter  lest  he  should  lo^e  his  shot, 
that  h«  took  a  hasty  aim,  fired,  an  1  missed.  Harry  as- 
serted afterwards  that  he  even  missed  the  cliff'!  On 
hearing  the  loud  report,  which  rolled  in  echoes  along  the 
precipice,  bruin  started,  and,  looking  round  with  an  un- 
decided air,  saw  Harry  step  quietly  from  the  bushes,  and 
fire,  sending  a  ball  into  his  flank.  This  decided  him. 
With  a  fierce  growl  of  pain,  he  scampered  towards  the 
water ;  then,  changing  his  mind,  he  wheeled  round,  and 
dashed  at  the  cliff',  up  which  he  scrambled  with  wonder- 
ful speed. 

"  Come,  Mister  Hamilton,  load  again ;  quick.  I'll 
have  to  do  the  job  myself,  I  fear,"  said  Jacques,  as  lie 
leaned  quietly  on  his  long  gun,  and,  with  a  half-pitying 
smile,  watched  the  young  man,  who  madly  essayed  to  re- 
charge his  piece  more  rapidly  than  it  was  possible  for 
mortal  man  to  do.  Meanwhile  Harry  had  reloaded  and 
fired  again ;  but,  owing  to  the  perturbation  of  his  young 
spirits,  and  the  frantic  efforts  of  the  bear  to  escape,  he 
missed.  Another  moment,  and  the  animal  would  actually 
have  reached  the  top,  when  Jacques  hastily  fired,  and 
brought  it  tumbling  down  the  precipice.  Owing  to  the 
position  of  the  anima-  >u  the  time  he  fired,  the  wound  was 
not  mortal ;  and,  foreseeing  that  bruin  would  now  become 
the  aggressor,  the  hunter  began  rapidly  to  reload,  at  the 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


851 


Bame  „me  retreating  with  |,is  companions,  who,  in  their 
exc,  emcm,  l^ad  forgotten  to  reeharge  their  pie  e,.  On 
readnng  Unol  ground,  bruin  ro,e,  shook  himself,  gave  a 
y<^l^of  anger  on  beholding  his  enemies,  and  ™shed  at 

It  was  a  fine  sight  to  behol.l  the  bearing  of  Jaeaues  at 
h,s  c,.u,eal  juncture.     Accustomed  to  bealhnnt  „g    ^m 
"syouU,,and  utterly  in,-.    ,«„,  ,„  consequences  when 
danger  became  imminent,  :,e  saw  at  a  glance  the  probl" 
b.  fes  o(  ,he  ca.e.     He  knew  exactly  how  long  it  would 
take  h,m  to  load  his  gun,  and  regulated  his  pace  so  as 
not  to  .nterferc  with  that  operation.      His  features  wore 
.l.eu-  usual  ca  m  expression.     Every  motion  of  his  hand! 
was  quu.k  and  sudden,  yet  not  hurried,  but  performed  ^ 
a  way   hat  led  the  beholder  irresistibly  to  imagine  tha" 
«^  could  have  done  it  even  more  rapidly  if  necessary 
On    eaclnng  a  ledge  of  rock  that  overhung  the  lake  a 
fe>v  feet  he  paused,  and  wheeled  about,  -  click  went  the 
dog-head,  just  as  the  bear  rose  to  grapple  with  him  _ 
another  moment,  and  a  bullet  passed  through  the  bru'te's 
heart,  while  the  bold  hunter  sprang  lightly  on  one  side, 
to  avoid  the  dash  of  the  falling  animal.     As  he  did  so 
young  Hamilton,  who  had  stood  a  little  behind  him  with 
an  uphtted  axe,  ready  to  finish  the  work  should  Jacques' 
fire  prove  ineffective,  received  bruin  in  his  arms,  and 
tumbfed  along  with  him  over  the  rock,  headlon»  into  the 
water,  trom  which,  however,  he  speedily  arosl  unhurt, 
pluttermg  and  coughing,  and  dragging  the  dead  bear  to 
to  the  shore. 

"  Well  done,  Hammj,"  shouted  Plarry,  indulcina  in  a 
prolonged  peal  of  laughter,  when  he  ascertained"  that  his 
triends  adventure  had  cost  him  nothing  more  than  a 
bucking ;  "  that  was  the  most  amicable,  loving  plun-e  I 
ever  saw."  °  ^     ° 


I 


i  I 


•1 


352 


SNOWFLAKES  AND   SUNBEAMS 


"Better  a  cold  bath  in  the  arms  of  a  dead  bear, 
than  an  embrace  on  dry  land  with  a  live  one,"  retorted 
Hamilton,  as  he  wrung  the  water  out  of  his  dripping 
garments. 

"  Most  true,  0  sagacious  diver !  But  the  sooner  we 
get  a  fire  made  the  better ;  so  come  along." 

While  the  two  friends  hastened  up  to  the  woods  to 
kindle  a  fire,  Jacques  drew  his  hunting-knife,  and,  with 
doffed  coat  and  upturned  sleeves,  whs  soon  busily  em- 
ployed in  divesting  the  bear  of  his  natural  gari'nent.  The 
carcass,  being  valueless  in  a  country  where  game  of  a 
more  palatable  kind  was  plentiful,  they  left  behind  as  a 
feast  to  the  wolves.  After  this  was  accomplished,  and  the 
clothes  dried,  they  reembarked,  and  resumed  their  jour- 
ney, plying  the  paddles  energetically  in  silence,  as  their 
adventure  had  occasioned  a  considerable  loss  of  time. 

It  was  late,  and  the  stars  had  looked  down  for  a  full 
hour  into  the  profound  depths  of  the  now  dark  lake,  ere 
the  party  reached  the  ground  at  the  other  side  of  the 
point,  on  which  Jacques  had  resolved  to  encamp.  Beino- 
somewhat  wearied,  they  spent  but  little  time  in  discussing 
supper,  and  partook  of  that  meal  with  a  degree  of  energy 
that  implied  a  sense  ot'  duty  as  well  as  of  pleasure. 
Shortly  after,  they  were  buried  in  repose  under  the 
scanty  shelter  of  their  canoe. 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


353 


sooner  we 


CHAPTER   XXVI. 

AN  UNEXPECTED  MEETING,  AND  AN  UNEXPECTED  DEER  IinVT 
ARRIVAL  AT  THE  OUTPOST;  DISAUREK.MENT  U7TU  THE  Na"i VES 
AN  ENEMY  DISCOVERED,  AND  A  MURDER.  NAIIVLS; 

"XJEXT  morning,  they  rose  with  the  sun,  and,  there- 
-^  1    fore,  also  with  the  birds  and  beasts. 

A  wide  traverse  of  the  lake  now  lay  before  them. 
This  they  crossed  in  about  two  hours,  during  which  time 
they  paddled  unremittingly,  as  the  sky  looked  rather 
lowenng,  and  they  were  well  aware  of  the  danger  of 
being  caught  in  a  storm  in  such  an  egg-shell  craft°as  an 
Indian  canoe. 

"  We'll  put  in  here  now,  Mister  .  Harry,"  exclaimed 
Jacques,  as  the  canoe  entered  the  mouth  of  one  of  those 
small  rivulets,  which  are  called  in  Scotland,  hums,  and  in 
America,  creeks  ;  "  it's  like  that  your  appetite  is  sharp- 
ened ai\er  a  spell  like  that.  Keep  her  head  a  little  more 
to  the  left,  —  straight  for  the  pint,  -  so.  It's  likely  we'll 
get  some  fish  here  if  we  set  the  net." 

"  I  say,  Jacques,  is  yon  a  cloud  or  a  wreath  of  smoke 
above  the  trees  in  the  creek?  "  inquired  Harry,  pointing 
with  his  paddle  towards  the  object  referred  to. 

"It's  smoke,  master;  I've  seed  it  for  some  time,  and 
mayhap  we'll  find  some  Injins  there  who  can  give  us 
news  of  the  traders  at  Stoney  Cfeek." 

"And,  pray,  how  far  do  you  think  we  may  now  be 

"'    '  at  place  ?  "  inquii-ed  Hlarry. 
28 


from 


';|  ■  |: 


Lil- 


354 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


"  Forty  miles,  more  or  less." 

As  he  spoke,  the  canoe  entered  (he  shallow  water  of 
the  creek,  and  began  to  ascend  the  current  of  the  stream, 
which   at  its    mouth  was  so  sluggish  as  to  be  scarcely 
perceptible  to  the  eye.     Not  so,  however,  to  the  arms. 
The  light  bark,  which,  while  floating  on  the  lake,  had 
glided  buoyantly  forward  as  if  it  were  itself  consenting 
to  the  motion,  had  now  become  apparently  imbued  with 
a  spirit  of  contradiction,  bounding  convulsively  forward 
at  each  stroke  of  the  paddles,  and    preceptibly   losing 
speed  at  each  interval.     Directing  their  course  towards 
a  flat  rock  on  the  left  bank  of  the  stream,  they  ran  the 
prow  out  of  the  water  and  leaped  ashore.     As  they  did 
so,  the  unexpected  figure   of  a   man   issued   from  the 
bushes   and    sauntered    towards    the   spot.     Harry  and 
Hamilton  advanced  to  meet  him,  while  Jacques  remained 
to  unload  the  canoe.     The  stranger  was  habited  in  the 
usual  dress  of  a  hunter,  and  carried  a  fowling-piece  over 
his  right  shoulder.     In  general  appearance,  he  looked 
like  an  Indian  ;  but,  though  the  face  was  burnt  by  ex- 
posure to  a  hue  that  nearly  equalled  the  red  skins  of  the 
natives,  a  strong  dash  of  pink  in  it,  and  the  mass  of  fair 
hair  which  encircled  it,  proved  that,  as   Harry  paradoxi- 
cally expressed  it,  its  owner  was  a  white  man.     He  was 
young,  considerably  above  the  middle  height,  and  appar- 
ently athletic.    His  address  and  language,  on  approaching 
the  young  men,  put  the  question  of  his  being  a  white 
man  beyond  a  doubt. 

"  Good  morning,  gentlemen,"  he  began.  « I  presume 
that  you  are  the  party  we  have  been  expecting  for  some 
time  past  to  reinforce  our  staff  at  Stoney  Creek.  Is  it 
not  so.?"  ' 

To   this  querv.  voune-  Somfirvillp.  wVin  cfnn/i   in   a,\. 


FROM  THE   FAR  NORTfl. 


355 


m.     He  \va3 


janoe  of  Ins  frlond,  mnde  no  reply,  but,  stepping  hastily 
forward,  laid  a  hand  on  each  of  the  stranger's  shoulders 
and  gazed  earnestly  into  his  face,  exclaiming  as  lie  did 
go  — 

"  Do  my  eyes  deceive  me  ?     Is  ^harley  K<  nnedy  be- 
fore  me  —  or  his  ghost  ?  " 

"What!  eh  !  "  exchiimed  the  indiv  .dual  thus  address- 
ed,  returning  Ilnrry's  gripe  and  stare  with  interest  « is 
It  possible  !  no  -  it  cannot  -  Harry  Somerville,  my  old 
dear,  unexpected  friend  !»-- and,  pouring  out   broken 
sentences,  abrupt  ejaculations,  and  incoherent  questions  to 
which  neither  vouchsafed  re,,lies,  the  two  friends  gazed 
at  and  walked  round  each  other,  shook  hands,  partially 
embraced,  an.l  committed   sundry  other   extravagances 
utterly  unconscious  of,  or  indifferent   to   the  fa°t,  that 
Hamilton  was  gazing  at  them,  open-mouthed,  in  a  species 
of  stupor,  and  that  Jacques  was  standing  by,  regardincr 
them  with  a  look   of  mingled  amusement  and  satisfact 
tion.   The  discovery  of  this  latter  personage  was  a  source 
of  renewed  delight  and  astonishment   to   Charley,   who 
was  so  much  upset  by  the  commotion  of  his  spirits  in 
consequence  of  this,  so  to   speak,  double  shot,  that 'he 
became  rambling  and  incoherent  in  his  speech,  duiin^ 
the  remainder  of  that  day,  and  gave  vent  to  frequent  and 
sudden  bursts  of  smothered  enthusiasm,  in  which  it  would 
appear,  from  the  occasional  muttering  of  the  names  of 
Kedfeather   and   Jacques,  that   he   not  only  felicitated 
himself  on  his   own  good  fortune,  but  also   anticipated 
renewed  pleasure   in  witnessing  the  joyful   meeting  of 
hese  two  worthies  ere  long.     In  tact,  this  meeting  did 
take  place  on  the  following  day,  when  Kedfeather,  re- 
turmng  from  a  successful  hunt,  with  part  of  a  deer  on 
his  shouiders,  entered  Charley's  tent,  in  which  the  trav- 


i  >  i, 


'h 

; 

1 

i 

A 

1 

1 

," 

1 

■. 

i  ,i 

I 

j 

;    '  ^      1 

856 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


ellers  had  spent  the  previous  day  and  night,  and  dis- 
covered the  guide  gravely  discussing  a  venison  steak 
before  the  fire. 

It  would  be  vain  to  attempt  a  description  of  all  that 
the  reunited  friends  said  and  did  during  the  first  twenty- 
four  hours  after  their  meeting;  —  how  they  talked  of  old 
times,  as  they  lay  extended   round    the   fire,  inside  of 
Charley's  tent,  and  recounted  their  adventures  by  flood 
and  field  since  they  last  met;  —  how  they  sometimes 
diverged  into  questions   of   speculative    philosophy,   (as 
conversations  will  often  diverge,  whether  we  wish  it  or 
not,)  and  broke  short  off  to  make  sudden  inquiries  after 
old   friends;  —  how  this  naturally  led  them    to  talk  of 
new  friends,  and  new  scenes,  until  they  began  to  forecast 
their  eyes  a  little  into  the  future  ;  and   how,  on   feeling 
that  this  was  an  uncongenial  theme  under  present  cir- 
cumstances, they  reverted  agjiin  to  the  past,  and,  by  a 
peculiar  train  of  conversation,  —  to  retrace  which  were 
utterly  impossible,  —  they  invariably  arrived  at  old  times 
again.     Having  in  course  of   the  evening   pretty   well 
exhausted  their  powers,  both  mental  and  physical,  they 
went  to  sleep  on  it,  and  resumed  the  colloquial  melange 
in  the  morning. 

"And  now  tell  me,  Charley,  what  you  are  doing  in  this 
uninhabited  part  of  the  world,  so  far  from  Stoney  Creek," 
said  Harry  Somerville,  as  they  assembled  round  the  fire 
to  breakfast. 

"That  is  soon  explained,"  replied  Charley.  "My 
good  friend  and  superior,  Mr.  Whyte,  having  got  him- 
self comfortably  housed  at  Stoney  Creek,  thought  it  advis- 
able to  establish  a  sort  of  half  outpost,  half  fisliing-station 
about  twenty  miles  below  the  new  fort,  and,  believing 
(very  justly'i  that  mv  tnlf^nfa  lav  «  r»nnrl  /1«q1  in  ^ii*^  wav 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


857 


of  fishing  and  shooting,  sent  me  to  superintend  it  durinrr 
the  summer  months.  I  am,  therefore,  at  present  mon" 
arch  of  that  notable  establishment,  whieh  is  not  yet 
dignlHed  with  a  name.  Hearing  that  there  were  plenty 
of  deer  about  twenty  miles  below  my  palace,  I  resolved 
the  other  day  to  gratify  my  love  of  sport,  and,  at  the 
same  time,  procure  some  venison  for  Stoney  Creek  •  ac- 
cordlngly,   I  took    Redfeather  with   me,   and  —  here   I 


am. 


"  Very  good,"  said  Harry ;  "  and  can  you  give  us  the 
Ic'ast  Idea  of  what  they  are  going  to  do  with  my  friend 
Hamilton  and  me  when  they  get  us  "t " 

«  Can't  say.  One  of  you  at  any  rate  will  be  kept  at 
the  creek,  to  assist  Mr.  Whyte  ;  the  other  may,  perhaps 
be  appointed  to  relieve  me  at  the  fishing  for  a  time,  whilj 
/am  sent  off  to  push  the  trade  in  other  quarters,  but  I'm 
only  guessing.  I  don't  know  anything  definitely,  for  Mr. 
Whyte  is  by  no  means  communicative." 

"  An' please,  master,"  put  in  Jacques,  «  when  do  you 
mean  to  let  us  off  from  this  place  ?  I  guess  the  bourgeois 
won  t  be  over-pleased  if  we  waste  time  here."  ' 

"We'll  start  this  forenoon,  Jacques.  I  and  Redfeather 
shall  go  along  with  you,  as  I  intended  to  take  a  run  up  to 
the  creek  about  this  time  at  any  rate.  Have  you  the 
skins  and  dried  meat  packed,  Redfeather?" 

To  this  the  Indian  replied  in  the  affirmative,  and  the 
others  having  finished  breakfast,  the  whole  party  rose  to 
prepare  for  departure,  and  set  about  loading  their  canoes 
forthwith.  An  hour  later  they  were  again  cleaving  the 
waters  of  the  lake,  with  this  difference  in  arrangement, 
that  Jacques  was  transferred  to  Redfeather's  canoe,  while 
Charley  Kennedy  took  his  place  in  the  stern  of  that 
occupied  by  Harry  and  Hamilton. 


■  t  ■ '    %ri3;i;i 


;;  i 


358 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


The  establishment  of  which  our  friend  Charley  pro- 
nounced himself  absolute  monarch,  and  at  which  they 
arrived  in  the  course  of  the  same  afternoon,  consisted  of 
two  small  log-houses  or  huts,  constructed  in  the  rudest 
fashion,  and  without  any  attempt  whatever  at  architec- 
tural embellishment.     It   was  pleasantly  situated  on  a 
small  bay,  whose  northern  extremity  was  sheltered  from 
the  arctic  blast  by  a  gentle  rising  ground  clothed  with 
wood.     A  miscellaneous  collection  of  fishing  apparatus 
lay  scattered  about  in  front  of  the  buildings,  and  two 
men  in  a  canoe  completed  the  picture.     The  said  two 
men  and  an  Indian  woman  were  the  inhabitants  of  the 
place  ;  the    king  himself,  when  present,  and  his  prime 
minister,  Redfeather,  being  the  remainder  of  the  popu- 
lation. 

"Pleasant   little   kingdom   that   of  yours,   Charley," 
remarked  Harry  Somerville,  as  they  passed  the  station. 
"  Very,"  was  the  laconic  reply. 

They  had  scarcely  passed  the  place  above  a  mile,  when 
a  canoe,  containing  a  solitary  Indian,  was  observed  to 
shoot  out  from  the  shore   and   paddle  hastily  towards 
them.     From  this  man  they  learned  that  a  herd  of  deer 
was  passing  down  towards  the  lake,  and  would  be  on  its 
banks  in  a  few  minutes.     He   had  been  waiting  their 
arrival  when  the  canoes  came  in  sight,  and  induced  him 
to  hurry  out  so  as  to  give  them  warning.     Having  no 
time  to  lose,   the  whole  party  now  paddled  swiftly  for 
the  shore,  and  reached  it  just  a  few  minutes  before  the 
branching  antlers  of  the  deer  came  in  sight  above  the 
low  bushes  that  skirted  the  wood.     Harry  Somerville 
embarked  in  the  bow  of  the  strange  Indian's  canoe,  so  as 
to  lighten  the  other  and  enable  all  parties  to  have  a  fair 
chance.     After  snuffing  the  breeze  for  a  few  seconds,  the 


Charley  pro- 
t  which  they 
n,  consisted  of 
in  the  rudest 
r  at  architec- 
situated  on  a 
heltered  from 

clothed  with 
ng  apparatus 
ngs,  and  two 
rhe  said  two 
titants  of  the 
id  his  prime 
of  the  popu- 

's,   Charley," 
i  the  station. 

a  mile,  when 
observed  to 
tily  towards 
herd  of  deer 
uld  be  on  its 
waiting  their 
induced  him 

Having  no 
I  swiftly  for 
s  before  the 
t  above  the 

Somerville 
canoe,  so  as 

have  a  fair 
seconds,  the 


SPEARING  DEER  IN  THE  FAR  NORTH.         Page 


359. 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


359 


foremost  animal  took  the  water  and  commenced  swim- 
ming towards  the  opposite  shore  of  the  lake,  which  at 
this  particular  spot  was  narrow.  It  was  followed  by 
seven  others.  After  sufficient  time  was  permitted  to 
elapse,  to  render  their  being  cut  off,  in  an  attempt  to 
return,  quite  certain,  the  three  canoes  darted  from  the 
shelter  of  the  overhanging  bushes,  and  sprang  lightly 
over  the  water  in  pursuit. 

"  Don't  hurry,  and  strike  sure,"  cried  Jacques,  to  his 
young  friends,  as  they  came  up  with  the  terrified  deer, 
that  now  swam  for  their  lives. 
"  ^^'  ay,"  was  the  reply. 

In  a  _jther  moment,  they  shot  in  among  the  struggling 
gr^'ip.     Harry  Somerville  stood  up,  and  seizing  the  In- 
dian's spear,  prepared  to  strike,  while    his  companions 
directed  their  course  towards  others  of  the  herd.     A  few 
seconds  sufficed  to  bring  him  up  with  it.     Leaning  back- 
wards  a  little,  so  as  to  give  additional  force  to  the  blow, 
he  struck  the  spear  deep  into  the  animal's  back.     With  a 
convulsive  struggle,  it  ceased  to  swim,  its  head  slowly 
sank,  and,  in  another  second,  it  lay  dead  upon  the  water. 
Without  waiting  a  moment,  the  Indian  immediately  di- 
rected the  canoe  towards  another  deer;  while  the  remain- 
der  of  the  party,  now  considerably  separated  from  each 
other,  despatched  the  whole  herd  by  means  of  axes  and 
knives. 

"  Ha  ! "  exclaimed  Jacques,  as  they  towed  their  bootyr 
to  the  shore,  "  that's  a  good  stock  o'  meat,  Mister  Charles- 
It  will  help  to  furnish  the  larder  for  the  winter  pretty 
well."  ^      ^ 

"  It  was  much  wanted,  Jacques  ;  we've  a  good  many 
mouths  to  feed,  besides  treatmg  the  Indians  now  and 
then.     And  this  fellow,  I  think,  will  claim  the  most  of 


360 


SNOWFLAKKS  AND  SUNBEAMS 


our  l.unt  as  l.is  own.     Wo  should  not  have  got  the  doer 
but  for  him." 

"  True,  true,  Mister  Charles.  They  belong  to  the  red- 
skin  by  rights,  that's  sartin." 

After  this  exploit,  another  night  was  passed  under  the 
trees  ;  and  at  noon,  on  the  day  following,  they  ran  their 
canoe  alongside  the  wooden  wharf,  at  Stoney  Creek. 

"Good  day  to  you,  gentlemen,"  said  Mr.  Whyte  to 
Harry  and  Hamilton  as  they  landed  ;  «  I've  been  looking, 
out  for  you  these  two  weeks  past.     Glad  you've  eome  at 
last,  however.     Plenty  to  do,  and  no  time  to  lose.     You 
have  despatches,  of  course.     Ah  !  that's  right,"  (Harry 
drew  a  sealed  packet  from  his  bosom,  and  nresented  it 
with  a  bow,)  "  that's  right.     I  must  peruse  these  at  once. 
Mr.  Kennedy,  you  will  show  these  gentlemen  their  quar- 
ters.     We  dine  in  half  an  hour."    So  saying,  Mr.  Whyte 
thrust  the  packet  into  his  pocket,  and,  without  further 
remark,  strode  towards  his  dwelling,  while  Charley,  as 
instructed,  led  his  friends  to  their  new  residence,  not  for- 
getting,    however,    to  charge   Redfeather  to  see  to  the 
comfortable  lodgment  of  Jacques  Caradoc 

"Now  it  strikes  me,"  remarked  Harry,  as  he  sat  down 
on  he  edge  of  Charley's  bed,  and  thrust  his  hands  do^.- 
gediy  down  into  his  pockets,  while  Hamilton  tucked  u°p 
Ins  sleeves  and  assaulted  a  washhand-basin,  which  stooa 

r  tV^jTT^  ^'''^'"  '^'^''  ^"  "  ^«'-"^^-'  "  i^  strikes  me 
that  It  thats  his  usual  style  of  behavior,  old  Whyte  is  a 
pleasure  that  we  didn't  anticipate." 

*'  Don't  judge  from  first  impressions,  they're  often  de- 
ceptive  spluttered  Hamilton,  pausing  in  his  ablutions  to 
look  at  his  friend  through  a  mass  of  soapsuds, -an  act 
which  afterwards  cost  him  a  good  deal  of  pain  and  a 
copious  flow  of  unbidden  tears. 


3  got  the  deer 


mg  to  tlie  red- 


FROM  TIIK  FAR  NORTH.  g^jj 

"  Right,"  exclaimed  Chavlev  with  «« 
to  Hamilton.     "  Yo.  mu  tnl'  T-  "P^™""?  ""d 

Ha,r        II.'.  """""' J'"'S«  '""•  prematurely, 

;o.  ,.e ..  t.t.  „.eH  J^VlolTt^rV:;:-!;. 

"J'  >  ftCLonaiy,  that  he  is  nosses^Prl  rvf  fi.o*. 
amount  of  affection  wJ.;..!.  ;  p^-^^a^i^ea  ot  that 

a  g.-eatexte„;      e„t    :L7"':';'r"  """""■""'  <'" 

«o  be  rea.ona  ly  attentive  to  h^f,'  '""■"T  "  """* 

that  you,  Ma.,te/Kenn  dy  eniov  1,1   '  V  "'•  "'""^' 
u,,:„     ,,     ,.  .      ,     >^^'"ituj,  enjoy  the  peculiar  priv  Ipo-p  nf 

be.ng  the  fnend  of  a  two.!«g.eU  polar  boar ! "  ^        '° 

"I  wJuiT     ™*  r"""  """  ^■''"  >^''"  -•^'-■•'^^  Kennedy, 

I  wouU  compel  you  to  apologise  to  me  for  insultin.  my 

fnend,  you  rascal !     But  see  here',  tl,„       ^       ■    ^ 

tell  ii«  n,ot    I-  .      ""''-' "•^'^e »  the  cook  commg  to 

tl   i,    f  r:  """'•     "  ^"^  ""''''  "'^''  'o  «ee  the 

tea.  .t  the  polar  bear,  I'd  advise  to  be  smart." 

and  ItTh^^T'' ""T^"""'  "''  P'""'-''  his  hands 
comb    n  Z       ,  "'  '""'  ""'™'  '"•»■'«  a-arleys 

uTd  h  /""°  '°  P"'  ''  ''''^'''^  ""-""gh  his  ha^r, 
u»ed  h,  fingers  savagely  as  a  substitute,  and  overtook  hij 
compan,ons  just  as  they  entered  the  mess-room. 

will™  two  acres  ot  ground.    It  consisted  of  ei»ht  or  nin« 
houses,      th,.e  of  which,  however,  alone  metl     ^    o, 
app^    chmg  by  the  lake.     The  "  great "  house,  as  t  wa 

uirdt     """"'  "'  ''^  '"'■''''"  "^°P-'-°"  ">  '"e  other 

X':i;:f ::;:.:?  j'':«^^':  .^••••".-^-fai.y  but 

--^■—^  ^"o^  parnafly  whitewashed,  roofed 


362 


SNOWFLAKKS  AND  SUNBEAMS 


m 


with  sliingles,  and  boasting  six  small  windows  in  front, 
with  a  large  door  between  them.     On  its  east  side,  and 
at  right  angles  to  it,  was  a  similar  edifice,  but  smaller, 
having  two  doors  instead  of  one,  and  four  windows  in- 
stead of  six.     This  was  the  trading-shop  and  provision- 
store.     Opposite  to  this  was  a  twin  building  which  con- 
tained the  furs  and  a  variety  of  miscellaneous  stores. 
Thus  was  formed  tiiree  sides  of  a  square,  from  the  cen- 
tre of  which  rose  a  tall  flagstaff.     The  buildings  behind 
those  just  described  were  smaller  and  insignificant  —  the 
principal  one  being  the  house  appropriated  to  the  men  ; 
the  others  were  mere  sheds  and  workshops.     LuxujJant 
forests  ascended  the  slopes  that  rose  behind  and  encircled 
this  oasis  on  all  sides,  excepting  in  front,  where  the  clear 
waters  of  the  lake  sparkled  like  ;i  blue  mirror. 

On  the  margin  of  this  lake  the  new  arrivals,  left  to 
enjoy  themselves  as  they  best  might  for  a  day  or  two, 
sauntered  about  and  chatted  to  their  hearts'  content  of 
things  past,  present,  and  future. 

During  these  wanderings,  Harry  confessed  that  his 
opinion  of  Mr.  Whyte  had  somewhat  changed  ;  that  he 
believed  a  good  deal  of  the  first  bad  impression  was  at- 
tributable to  his  cool,  not  to  say  impolite,  reception  of 
them;  and  that  he  thought  things  would  go  on  much 
better  with  the  Indians  if  he  would  only  try  to  let  some 
of  his  good  qualities  be  seen  through  his  exterior. 

An  expression  of  sadness  passed  over  Charley's  face  as 
Lis  friend  said  this. 

^  "  You  are  right  in  the  last  particular,''  he  said,  with  a 
sigh,  —  "  Mr.  Whyte  is  so  rough  and  overbearing,  that  the 
Indians  are  beginning  to  dislike  him.  Some  of  the  more 
clear-sighted  among  them  see  that  a  good  deal  of  this  lies 
in  mere  manner,  and  have  penetration  enough  to  observe 


s'  content  of 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH.  ggg 

that  in  all  hi,  dealing,  will,  them  he  is  straightforward 
and  hberal ;  but  there  are  a  set  of  them  who  either  don^ 
see  ,h,s,  or  are  so  indignant  at  the  rough  speeches  he 
often  makes,  and  the  rough  treatment"  he '^omt  J 
threatens  that  they  won't  ..give  him,  hut  seem  to  be 
nur,,  ng  the.r  wrath.  I  sometimes  wish  he  was  sent  to  a 
d.str>ct  where  the  Indians  and  traders  are,  from  habi  ua! 

asli'ef  lllrr""    '"''""'  '""'  "'"'  ''"^  ""^  "'-'«?" 

"  No,  not  e«ctly ;   but,  through  an  old  man  of  the 

nbe,  who  .s  well  affected  towards  us,  I  have  learned 

mitchLfT  "  "  '""''^  """"«''    ""^  ^■'"'  ^"'='»  bont  on 

Tha  s  pleasant !  what  think  you,  Ilammy  ?  •'  said  Harry 
turnmg  to  his  friend.  ^' 

Sl!^"f  "\"V'. """'''  ""^  ""^"""S  I'"'  P'^asant,"  he 
replied;  "and  I  sincerely  hope  that  we  shall  not  have 
occasion  for  a  row." 

The  peculiarly  bland  smile  with  which  Hamilton  usually 
received  any  remark  that  savored  of  banter,  overspread 
h,s  features  as  Charley  spoke,  but  he  merely 'replied^!! 
■No,  Charley,  I'm  not  afraid." 

^  vent  the.r  spleen  on  our  worthy  bourgeois?"  asked 
Haro-,  as  he  seated  himself  on  a  rocky  eminence,  com- 

huge  ma  ses  of  ,«ck  that  had  fallen  from  the  beetling 
chffs  behmd  the  creek.  *= 


\ij 


364 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


"Yes,  I  do,"  replied  Charley;  "and,  by  tl.e  way,  one 
of  them  —  the  ringleader  —  is  a  man  with  whom  you  are 
acquainted,  —  at  least  by  name.  You've  heard  of  an  In- 
dian called  Misconna  ?  " 

"  What !  "  exclaimed  Harry,  with  a  look  of  surprise, 
"you  don't  mean  the  blackguard  mentioned  by  Red- 
feather,  long  ago,  when  he  told  us  his  story  on  the  shores 
of  Lake  Winnipeg,  —  the  man  who  killed  poor  Jacques' 
young  wife  ?  " 

"  The  same,"  replied  Charley. 

"  And  does  Jacques  know  he  is  here  ?  " 

"  He  does  ;  but  Jacques  is  a  strange,  unaccountable 
mortal.  You  remember  that,  in  the  struggle  described  by 
Redfeather,  the  trapper  and  Mi?conna  had  neither  of 
them  seen  each  other,  Redfeather  having  felled  the  latter 
before  the  former  reached  the  scene  of  action, —a  scene 
which,  he  has  since  told  me,  he  witnessed  at  a  distance, 
while  rushing  to  the  rescue  of  his  wife,  —  so  that  Mis- 
conna is  utterly  ignorant  of  the  fact  that  the  husband  of 
his  victim  is  now  so  near  him;  indeed,  he  does  not 
know  that  she  had  a  husband  at  all.  On  the  other  hand, 
although  Jacque.?  is  aware  that  his  bitterest  enemy  is 
within  rifle-range  of  him  at  this  moment,  he  does  not 
know  him  by  sight ;  and  this  morning  he  came  to  me, 
begging  that  I  would  send  Misconna  on  some  expedition 
or  other,  just  to  keep  him  out  of  his  way." 

"  And  do  you  intend  to  do  so  ?  " 

''  I  shall  do  my  best,"  replied  Charley ;  «  but  I  cannot 
get  him  out  of  the  way  till  to-morrow,  as  there  is  to  be  a 
gathering  of  Indians  in  the  hall  this  very  day,  to  have  a 
palaver  with  Mr.  Whyte  about  their  grievances,  and  Mis- 
conna wouldn't  miss  that  for  a  trifle  ;  —  but  Jacques  won't 
be  likely  to  recognize  him  among  so  many ;  and,  if  he 


FROM  THE  FAK  NORTH. 


363 


■a  scene 


does  I  rely  with  confi.lence  on  his  powers  of  restraint 
and  (orbearance.  Bv  the  wnv  »  i.„  .■  ,  '  '"'"'""t 
w,-,I.    >.-,  •  ")'"'«  way,   'le  continued,  glancing  up. 

I  ,  '  '  "  """  """"•  """  "'-'  I"''-"^  will  have  b:.un 
expected  to  help  in  keeping  order." 

So  saying,  he  rose,  and  the  young  men  returned  to  the 
fo.t.     On  reachmg  it,  they  found  the  hall  crowded  w  h 
na-ves,  who  sat  cro.-legged  around  the  wall  J  IJ  „ 
g.'oups  conversing  i„  low  tones,  and,  to  judg    frol      " 
expression  of  their  dark  eye.  and  lower  „g\rowsthv 
were  m  extremely  bad  humor.     They  became  sH™    '„d 
more  respectful,  however,  in  their  demeano    w    ^      ' 
young  men  entered  the  apartment  and  walked  up  t'o    he 
fi  epaee,  m  which  a  small  fire  of  wood  burned  on  tie 
hearth    more  as  a  convenient  means  of  rekindlinr  21 
pipes  of  the  Indians  when  they  went  out  ,,  „        '  '"^  ""^ 
of  heatincr  ,!,„      T  T     ^  '  """'  ^■'  a  ™ean3 

ot  heating    he    place.      Jacques    and    Kedfeather  stood 

leaning  against  the  wall  near  to  it  engaged  in"  Th"^ 
P    ed   conversation.      Glancing    round  as   he   J^^tl^d 
C   .1.  ey  observed  Misconna  sitting  a  little  apart  by  1-' 
se  f,  and  apparently  buried  in  deep  thought.      He  Zd 
carcely  perceived  him,  and  nodded  to  several  of  W,  par 

:x:v:;:T:r''  -"-  -  ^'-^-^ « 

»T  iij^ie,  Willi  an  anoTv  exnr(^ii<ir.n  «^  i,- 

So    he  began,  "you  have  asked  to  speak  with  me- 
t      Z^^'"-     'W^h^' have  you  to  say?" 
Mr.   Whyte  addressed   the   Indians   in   their  native 

learned  to  speak  ,t  as  fluently  as  English.  ^' 

i-or  some  moments  there  was  silence.    Then  an  old 


!  ! 


366 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


ii  #! 


chief —  the  same  who  had  ofliciated  at  the  feast  doscribed 
in  a  former  chapter  —  rose,  and  standing  forth  .lo  the 
middle  of  the  room,  made  a  long  and  gravp  oration,  in 
which,  besides  a  great  deal  that  was  bombacti*  much 
that  was  irrelevant,  and  more  that  was  utterly  fabulous 
and  nonsensical,  he  recounted  the  sorrows  of  himself  and 
his  tribe,  concludinjr  witii  ;i  request  that  the  great  chief 
would  take  these  thinjj;?}  nito  consideration,  — the  principal 
^^ things'*  bein,i:;  that  they  did  not  get  anything  in  the 
shape  of  gratuities,  while  it  was  notorious  that  the  In- 
dians in  other  districts  did,  and  that  they  did  not  get 
enough  of  g<K)ds  in  advance,  on  credit  of  their  future 
hunts. 

Mr.  Why te  heard  the  old  man  to  the  end  i  silence ; 
then,  without  altering  his  position,  he  looked  round  on 
the  assembly  with  a  frown,  and  said,  —  "Now,  listen  to 
me :  I  am  a  man  of  few  words.  I  have  told  you  over 
and  over  again,  and  I  now  repeat  it,  that  you  shall  get 
no  gratuities  until  you  prove  yourselves  worthy  of  them  ; 
I  shall  not  increase  your  advances  by  so  much  as  half  an 
inch  of  tobacco,  till  your  last  year's  debts  are  scored  olf, 
and  you  begin  to  show  more  activity  in  Hunting  and  less 
disposition  to  grumble.  Hitherto  yuu  have  not  brought 
in  anything  like  the  quantity  of  furs  that  the  capabilities 
of  the  country  led  me  to  expect.  You  are  lazy.  Until 
you  become  better  hunters,  you  shall  have  no  redress 
from  me." 

As  he  finished,  Mi  Whyte  made  a  step  towards  the 
door  by  which  he  had  entered,  but  was  arrested  by  an- 
other chief,  who  requested  to  be  heard.  Resuming  his 
place  and  attitude,  Mr.  Wh/te  listened  with  an  expres- 
sion of  dogged  determination,  while  guttural  grunts  of 
unequivocal  dissatisfaction  issued  from  the  throats  of  sev- 


roats  of  sev- 


FROM  THE  FAR  NOKTH.  gg; 

eral  of  the  malcontents     Ti.^  t..  r 

a  f^w  nf  ♦!         ""7"^«-     ■!'>«  J"'l«Hn  proceeded  to  repeat 

a  tew  of  the  remarks  made  by  hi.  predecessor  h... 

*\,^  fy      .  n.     .     t  ^'^^'""'^  y<  ar  WHS  owing  to  the  will  t^f 
he  Great  M.„„o.  and  „„.  by  any  mea„/„„   "   „"'  J 
the  supposed  la.i„e.,s  of  himself  or  l.is  tribe. 

lliat  18  false,"  said  Mr.  Wli,  te  •  "  vo,.  !,„„„  •.  • 
true."  ''  ^  "  "^"^ " « not 

As  this  was  said,  a  murmur  of  anger  ran  round  tl,« 
apartment,  whieli  was   interrunted   bv   M 
Hl.|.are„,ly  unable  to  restrain  Z   1.^  '"'  *''"' 

">i.M.e  of  the  room,  JZ^^^^^^IT:  t 
"  short  and  pithy  speech,  aecompanicd  by  wS t""'' 

g.amed,  the  white  men  would  bitterly  repent  it. 

During  his  speech,  the  Indians  had  risen  to  their  feet 

young  men  drew  near  their  superior.     Bedfeather  re 
.amed  apart,  motionless,  and  with  his  eyes  St  Z 

":^'"^'r^:''^''"^'>S-^'i>^t  miserable  thievin-.  eur 
Claimed-    I  am  no  dog.     The  palefaces  are  do»s     I 

o™;x"i:is£ern:ii!!r----e; 

ie/wlr:  "sXeS"  '^1  'f  ''''  '^'-  ^"^'^  --J  ^har- 
towal  the  T !.  ^     u"'  '''''''^'  "■"*   -J^^q-^^    sprang 

paJstn      V  '"*''*'  ""''  '''^  muscles  rigid  ,v,rh 

P«-.on.     i  or  ^  ,^^,,  ,^  ^^g^^^^^  ^j^^  savagelntently 


llf|i 


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368 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


i  • 


1  '  i 


as  he  shrank  appalled  before  him,  — then  his  colossal  fist 
fell  like  lightning,  with  the  weight  of  a  sledge-hammer, 
on  Misconna's  forehead,  and  drove  him  against  the  outer 
door,  which,  giving  way  before  the  violent  shock,  burst 
from  its  fastenings  and  hinges,  and  fell,  along  with  the 
savage,  with  a  loud  crash  to  the  ground. 

For  an  instant  every  one  stood  aghast  at  this  precipi- 
tate termination  to  the  discussion,  and  then,  springing 
forward  in  a  body,  with  drawn  knives,  the  Indians  rushed 
upon  the  white  men,  who,  in  a  close  phalanx,  with  such 
weapons  as  came  first  to  hand,  stood  to  receive  them. 
At  this  moment  Redfeather  stepped  forward  unarmed 
between  the  belligerents,  and  turning  to  the  Indians, 
said,  — 

"  Listen !  Redfeather  does  not  take  the  part  of  his 
white  friends  against  his  comrades.  You  know  that  he 
never  failed  you  in  the  war-path,  and  he  would  not  fail 
you  now  if  your  cause  were  just.  But  the  eyes  of  his 
comrades  are  shut.  Redfeather  knows  what  they  do  not 
know.  The  white  hunter "  (pointing  to  Jacques)  "  is  a 
friend  of  Redfeather.  He  is  a  friend  of  the  Knisteneux. 
He  did  not  strike  because  you  disputed  with  his  bour- 
geois ;  he  struck  because  Misconna  is  his  mortal  foe. 
But  the  story  is  long.  Redfeather  will  tell  it  at  the  coun- 
cil fire." 

"  He  is  right,"  exclaimed  Jacques,  who  had  recovered 
his  usual  grave  expression  of  countenance,  "  Redfeather 
is  right.  I  bear  you  no  ill-will,  Injins,  and  I  shall  ex- 
plain the  thing  myself  at  your  council  fire." 

As  Jacques  spoke,  the  Indians  sheathed  their  knives, 
and  stood  with  frowning  brows,  as  if  uncertain  what  to 
do.  The  unexpected  interference  of  their  comrade  in 
arms,  coupled  with  his  address  and  that  of  Jacques,  had 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


369 


is  colossal  fist 
idge-hammer, 
nst  the  outer 
shock,  burst 
ong  with  the 

this  precipi- 
;n,  springing 
idians  rushed 
mx,  with  such 
•eceive  them, 
ard  unarmed 
the   Indians, 

3  part  of  his 
now  that  he 
ould  not  fail 
3  eyes  of  his 
t  they  do  not 
icques)  "  is  a 
Knisteneux. 
fith  his  bonr- 
I  mortal  foe. 
;  at  the  coun- 


excited  their  curiosity.  Perhaps  the  undaunted  deport- 
ment  of  their  opponents,  who  stood  ready  for  the  en- 
counter  with  a  look  of  stern  determination,  contributed  a 
little  to  allay  their  resentment. 

While  the  two  parties  stood  thus  3onfronting  each 
other,  as  if  uncertain  how  to  act,  a  loud  report  was  heard 
just  outside  the  doorway.  In  another  moment,  Mr. 
Whyte  fell  heavily  to  the  ground,  shot  through  the  heart. 


24 


f-r^m 


■I'  r 


ad  recovered 
"  Redfeather 
d  I  shall  ex- 


their  knives, 

:tain  what  to 

comrade  in 

Jacques,  had 


370 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


CHAPTER  XXVII. 


THE  CHASE;  THE  FIGHT;  RETRIBUTION;    LOW  SPIRITS  AND  GOOD 

NEWS. 


THE  tragical  end  of  the  consultation  related  in  the 
last  chapter,  had  the  effect  of  immediately  reconcil- 
ing the  disputants.  With  the  exception  of  four  or  five  of 
the  most  depraved  and  discontented  among  them,  the 
Indians  bore  no  particular  ill-will  to  the  unfortunate 
principal  of  Stoney  Creek ;  and,  although  a  good  deal 
disappointed  to  find  that  he  was  a  stern,  unyielding 
trader,  they  had,  in  reality,  no  intention  of  coming  to  a 
serious  rupture  with  him,  much  less  of  laying  violent 
hands  either  upon  master  or  men  of  the  establishment. 

When,  therefore,  they  beheld  Mr.  Whyte  weltering  in 
his  blood  at  their  feet,  a  sacrifice  to  the  ungovernable 
passion  of  Misconna,  who  was  by  no  means  a  favorite 
among  his  brethren,  their  temporary  anger  was  instantly 
dissipated,  and  a  feeling  of  deepest  indignation  roused 
in  their  bosoms  against  the  miserable  assassin  who  had 
perpetrated  the  base  and  cowardly  murder.  It  was, 
therefore,  with  a  yell  of  rage  that  several  of  the  band, 
immediately  after  the  victim  fell,  sprang  into  the  woods 
in  hot  pursuit  of  him  whom  they  now  counted  their 
enemy.  They  were  joined  by  several  men  belonging  to 
the  fort,  who  had  hastened  to  the  scene  of  action  on  hear- 
ing that  the  people  in  the  hall  were  likely  to  come  to 


ill    ! 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


371 


IRITS  AND  GOOD 


blows.  Redfeather  was  the  first  who  had  bounded  like  a 
deer  into  tiie  woods  in  pursuit  of  the  fugitive.  Those 
who  remained  assisted  Charley  and  his  friends  to  convey 
the  body  of  Mr.  Whyte  into  an  adjoining  room,  where 
they  placed  him  on  a  bed.  He  was  quite  dead ;  the  mur- 
derer's  aim  having  been  terriblj*  true. 

Finding  that  he  was  past  all  human  aid,  the  young 
men  returned  to  the  hall,  which  they  entered  just  as 
Redfeather  glided  quickly  through  the  open  doorway, 
and,  approaching  the  group,  stood  in  silence  beside  them, 
with  his  arms  folded  on  his  breast. 

"  You  have  something  to  tell,  Redfeather,"  said  Jac- 
ques, in  a  subdued  tone,  after  regarding  him  a  few  sec- 
onds.    "  Is  the  scoundrel  caught  ?  " 

"  Misconna's  foot  is  swift,"  replied  the  Indian,  "and  the 
wood  is  thick.  It  is  wasting  time  to  follow  him  through 
the  bushes." 

"What  would  you  advise,  then?"  exclaimed  Charley, 
m  a  hur  ied  voice.  "I  see  that  you  have  some  plan  to 
propose." 

"  The  wood  is  thick,"  answered  Redfeather,  "  but  the 
lake  and  the  river  are  open.  Let  one  party  go  by  the 
lake,  and  one  party  by  the  river." 

"  That's  it,  that's  it,  Injin,"  interrupted  Jacques,  ener- 
getically, «  yer  wits  are  always  jumpin'.  By  crossin'  over 
to  Duck  River,  we  can  start  at  a  point  five  or  six  miles 
above  the  lower  fall,  an'  as  it's  thereabouts  he  must  cross, 
we'll  be  time  enough  to  catch  him.  If  he  tries  the  lake, 
the  other  party  'II  fix  him  there ;  an'  he'll  be  soon  poked 
up  if  he  tries  to  hide  in  the  bush." 

"  Come,  then,  we'll  all  give  chase  at  once,"  cried  Char- 
ley,  feeling  a  temporary  relief  in  the  prospect  of  ener- 
getic action,  from  the  depressing  effects  of  the  calamity 


372 


SNOWFLAKES  AND   SUNBEAMS 


it. 


that  had  so  suddenly  befallen  him  in  the  loss  of  his  chief 
and  friend. 

Little  time  was  needed  for  preparation.  Jacques,  Char- 
ley, and  Harry  proceeded  by  the  river ;  while  Redfeather 
and  Hamilton,  with  a  couple  c  f  men,  launched  their  canoe 
on  the  lake,  and  set  off  in  pursuit. 

Crossing  the  country  for  about  a  mile,  Jacques  led  his 
party  to  the  point  on  the  Duck  River  to  which  he  had 
previously  referred.  Here  they  found  two  canoes,  into 
one  of  which  the  guide  stepped  with  one  of  the  men,  a 
Canadian,  who  had  accompanied  them  ;  while  Harry  and 
Charley  embarked  in  the  other.  In  a  few  minutes  they 
were  rapidly  descending  the  stream. 

"  How  do  you  mean  to  act,  Jacques  ?  "  inquired  Char- 
ley, as  he  paddled  alongside  of  the  guide's  canoe.  "  Is 
it  not  likely  that  Misconna  may  have  crossed  the  river 
already  ?  In  which  case  we  shall  have  no  chance  of 
catching  him." 

"  Niver  fear,"  returned  Jacques.  "  He  must  have 
longer  legs  than  most  men  if  he  gets  to  the  flat-rock  fall 
before  us,  an'  as  that's  the  spot  where  he'll  nat'rally  cross 
the  river,  being  the  only  straight  line  for  the  hills  that 
escapes  the  bend  o'  the  bay  to  the  south  o'  Stoney  Creek, 
we're  pretty  sartin  to  stop  him  there  '" 

"  True  ;  but  that  being,  as  you  say,  the  natural  route, 
don't  you  think  it  likely  he'll  expect  that  it  will  be  guard- 
ed, and  avoid  it  accordingly  ?  " 

"  He  would  do  so.  Mister  Charles,  if  he  thought  we 
were  here ;  but  there  are  two  reasons  agin  this.  He 
thinks  that  he's  got  the  start  o'  us,  a.,  won't  need  to 
double  by  way  o'  deceivin'  us ;  an'  then  he  knows  that 
the  whole  tribe  is  after  him,  and,  consekintly,  won't  take 
a  long  road,  when  there's  a  short  one,  if  he  can  help  it. 


of  his  chief 

cques,  Char- 
j  Redfeather 
i  their  canoe 

jques  led  his 
bich  he  had 
canoes,  into 
f  the  mon,  a 
6  Harry  and 
ninutes  they 

juired  Char- 
canoe.  "  Is 
3d  the  river 
)  chance  of 

must  have 
flat-rock  fall 
at'rally  cross 
le  hills  that 
toney  Creek, 

atural  route, 
ill  be  guard- 
thought  we 
n  this.  He 
on't  need  to 
knows  that 
',  won't  take 
can  help  it. 


A  FLYING  SHOT.         Page  373. 


IWli 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


373 


But  here's  the  rock.  Look  out,  Mr.  Charles.  We'll  have 
to  run  the  fall,  which  isn't  very  big  just  now,  and  then 
hide  in  the  bushes  at  the  foot  of  it  till  the  blackguard 
shows  himself.  Keep  well  to  the  right,  an'  don't  mind 
the  big  rock  ;  the  rush  o'  water  takes  you  clear  o'  that 
without  trouble." 

With  this  concluding  piece  of  advice,  he  pointed  to 
the  fall,  which  plunged  over  a  ledge  of  rock  about  half 
a  mile  ahead  of  them,  and  which  was  distinguishable  by 
a  small  column  of  white  spray  that  rose  out  of  it.  As 
Cliarley  beheld  it,  his  spirits  rose,  and  forgetting,  for  a 
moment,  the  circumstances  which  called  him  there,  he 
cried  out  — 

"  I'll  run  it  before  you,  Jacques.  Hurrah  !  Give  way, 
Harry  !  "  and,  in  spite  of  a  remonstrance  from  the  guide, 
he  shot  the  canoe  ahead,  gave  vent  to  another  reckless 
shout,  and  flew,  rather  than  glided,  down  the  stream.  On 
seeing  this,  the  guide  held  back,  so  ac  to  give  him  suf- 
ficient time  to  take  the  plunge  ere  he  followed.  A  few 
strokes  brought  Charley's  canoe  to  the  brink  of  the  fall, 
and  Harry  was  just  in  the  act  of  raising  himself  in  the 
bow  to  observe  the  position  of  the  rocks,  when  a  shout 
was  heard  on  the  bank  close  beside  them.  Looking  up, 
they  beheld  an  Indian  emerge  from  the  forest,  fit  an 
arrow  to  his  bow,  and  discharge  it  at  them.  The  winged 
messenger  was  truly  aimed,  it  whizzed  through  the  air 
and  transfixed  Harry  Somerville's  left  shoulder  just  at 
the  moment  they  swept  over  the  fall.  The  arrow  com- 
pletely incapacitated  Harry  from  using  his  arm,  so  that 
the  canoe,  instead  of  being  directed  into  the  broad  cur- 
rent, took  a  sudden  turn,  dashed  in  among  a  mass  of 
broken  rocks,  between  which  the  water  foamed  with  vio- 
lence, and  upset.    Here  the  canoe  stuck  fast,  while  its 


■,..,ji 


I 


U  ;j  :  '  ! 


\i    I  I 


374 


SNOWFLAKES   AND  SUNBEAMS 


owners  stood  up  to  their  waists  in  tlie  water,  struggling 
to  set  it  free, —an  objeet  which  they  were  the  more 
anxious  to  aocomplish  that  its  stern  hiy  directly  in  the 
spot  where  Jacques  would  infallibly  descend.  The  next 
instant  their  fears  were  realized.  The  second  canoe 
glided  over  the  cataract,  dashed  violently  against  the 
first,  and  upset,  leaving  Jacques  and  his  man  in  a  similar 
predicament.  By  their  aid,  however,  the  canoes  were 
more  easily  righted,  and  embarking  quickly  they  shot 
forth  again,  just  as  the  Indian,  who  had  been  obliged  to 
make  a  detour  in  order  to  get  within  range  of  their  posi- 
tion, reappeared  on  the  banks  above,  and  sent  another 
shaft  after  them,  —  fortunately,  however,  without  effect. 

"  This  is  unfortunate,"  muttered  Jacques,  as  the  party 
landed  and  endeavored  to  wring  some  of  the  water 
from  their  dripping  clothes;  "an'  the  worst  of  it  is 
that  our  guns  are  useless  after  sich  a  duckin',  an'  the 
varmint  knows  that,  an'  will  be  down  on  us  in  a  twink- 
lin'." 

"  But  we  are  four  to  one,"  exclaimed  Harry.  "  Surely 
we  don't  need  to  fear  much  from  a  single  enemy." 

"  Humph !  "  ejaculated  the  guide,  as  he  examined  the 
lock  of  his  gun.  "  You've  had  little  to  do  with  Injins, 
that's  plain.  You  may  be  sure  he's  not  alone,  an'  the 
reptile  has  a  bow  with  arrows  enough  to  send  us  all  on  a 
pretty  long  journey.  But  we've  the  trees  to  dodge  be- 
hind. If  I  only  had  one  dry  charge!  "  and  the  discon- 
certed guide  gave  a  look,  half  of  perplexity,  half  of  con- 
tempt, at  the  dripping  gun. 

"Never  mind,"  cried  Charley,  «  we  have  our  paddles. 
But  I  forgot,  Harry,  in  all  this  confusion,  that  you  are 
wounded,  my  poor  fellow,  —  we  must  have  it  examined 
before  doing  anything  farther." 


li     ..;.i  ,  liiitii 


FROM  Till-:   FAR  NOUTII. 


375 


"Oh  !  it's  notliing  at  all  ~  a  mere  scratch,  I  think  ;.  at 
least  I  feel  very  little  pain." 

As  he  spoke  the  twang  of  a  bow  was  heard,  and  an 
arrow  Hew  past  Jacques'  ear. 

"  Ah  !  so  soon  !  "  exclaimed  that  wortliy,  with  a  look  of 
surprise,  as  if  he  had  unexpectedly  met  with  an  old 
friend.  Stepping  behind  a  tree,  he  motioned  to  his 
friends  to  do  likewise ;  an  example  which  they  followed 
somewhat  hastily  on  beholding  the  Indian  who  had 
wounded  Harry  step  from  the  cover  of  the  under- 
wood and  deliberately  let  fly  another  arrov,  which 
passed  through  the  hair  of  the  Canadian  they  had 
brought  with  them. 

From  the  several  trees  behin  1  which  they  had  leaped 
for  shelter,  they  now  perceived  that  the  Indian  with  the 
bow  was  Misconna,  and  that  he  was  accompanied  by 
eight  others,  who  appeared,  however,  to  be  totally  un- 
armed;  having,  probably,  been  obliged  to  leave  their 
weapons  behind  them,  owing  to  the  abruptness  of  their 
flight.  Seeing  that  the  white  men  were  unable  to  use 
their  guns,  the  Indians  assembled  in  a  group,  and,  from 
the  hasty  and  violent  gesticulations  of  some  of  the  party, 
especially  of  Misconna,  it  was  evident  that  a  speedy 
attack  was  intended. 

Observing  this,  Jacques  coolly  left  the  shelter  of  his 
tree,  and,  going  up  to  Charley,  exclaimed,  "  Now,  Mister 
Charles,  I'm  goin'  to  run  away,  so  you'd  better  come 
along  with  me." 

"  That  I  certainly  will  not !  Why,  what  do  you  mean .? " 
inquired  the  other,  in  astonishment. 

"I  mean  that  these  stupid  redskins  can't  make  up 
their  minds  what  to  do,  an',  as  I've  no  notion  o'  stoppin' 
here  all  day,  I  want  to  make  them  do  what  will  suit  us 


M 


i!.'  ''I'liiiiji 


m. 


1 1, 


]\~ 


1 

I 

i 

t 
■ 

A'  ■' 
1 

^s^mtmmmmmmm 


876 


IP . 


m\[ 


4 


i   Mil 


SNOWFLAKI'S   AND    SUNnKA\fS 


best.  You  SCO,  if  tlH>y  snitter  tliroiijjfh  the  wood  nnd 
attack  us  ou  all  sides,  they  may  give  uh  a  dr-al  o'  trouble, 
and  git  away  after  all ;  whereas,  if  we  run  away,  they'll 
bolt  after  us  in  a  body,  aud  then  we  can  take  them  in 
hand  all  at  once,  which  '11  be  more  comfortable  like,  an' 
easier  to  maiuige." 

As  Jae(iues  spoke,  they  were  joined  by  Harry  and  the 
Canatlian ;  and,  being  observed  by  the  Indians  thus 
grouped  together,  another  arrow  was  scut  among  them. 

"  Now,  follow  me,"  said  Jaccpies,  turning  round  with  a 
loud  howl,  and  running  away,  lie  was  closely  followed 
by  the  others.  As  the  guide  had  predicted,  the  Indians 
no  sooner  observed  this  than  they  rushed  after  them  in  a 
body,  uttering  horrible  yells. 

"  Now,  then  ;  stop  here  ;  down  with  you." 

Jaccjuos  instantly  crouched  behind  a  bush,  while  each 
of  the  party  did  the  same.  In  a  moment  the  savages 
came  shouting  up,  supposing  that  the  white  men  were 
still  running  on  in  advance.  As  the  foremost,  a  tall, 
muscular  fellow,  with  the  agility  of  a  panther,  bounded 
over  the  bush  behind  winch  Jacques  was  concealed,  he 
was  met  with  a  blow  from  the  guide's  fist,  so  powerfully 
delivered  into  the  pit  of  his  stomach,  that  it  sent  him 
violently  back  into  the  bush,  where  he  lay  insensible. 
This  event,  of  course,  put  a  check  upon  the  head- 
long pursuit  of  the  others,  who  suddenly  paused,  like  a 
group  of  infuriated  tigers,  unexpectedly  baulked  of  their 
prey.  The  hesitation,  however,  was  but  for  a  moment. 
Misconna,  who  was  in  advance,  suddenly  drew  his  bow 
again,  and  let  fly  an  arrow  at  Jacques,  which  the  latter 
dexterously  avoided ;  and,  while  his  antagonist  lowered 
his  eyes  for  an  instant  to  fit  another  arrow  to  the  string, 
the  guide,  making  use  of  his  paddle  as  a  sort  of  javelin. 


' 


s 

the  woofl  nnd 
lenl  o'  trouble, 
awatj,  tliey'll 
take  them  in 
table  like,  an' 

larry  and  the 

Indians    thus 

nmonp;  them. 

round  with  a 

osely  followed 

d,  the  Indians 

fter  them  in  a 

h,  while  each 
;  the  savages 
ite  men  were 
emost,  a  tall, 
ther,  bounded 
concealed,  he 
so  powerfully 
it  it  sent  him 
ay  insensible, 
on  the  head- 
paused,  like  a 
liked  of  their 
)r  a  moment, 
drew  his  bow 
ich  the  latter 
onist  lowered 
to  the  string, 
rt  of  javelin, 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTFI.  377 

throw    it  with  such   force  and    precision  that   it  .truck 

M.sconna  d-reetly  between  the  eyes, 1  f,llcd  him  to  the 

earth.     In  another  instant,  the  two  parties  rush.-d  upon 
each  other  an.l  a  general  ,udee  ensued,  in  which  the  wl  ito 
men,  being  greatly  superior  to  their  adversaries  in   the 
use  of  their  fists,  soon  proved   the.nselves  more  than  a 
•natch  for  the.n  ail,  although  inferior  in  numbc-rs.     Char! 
h-y  s  hrst  antagonist,  making  an  abortive  attempt  to  ..ran- 
plo  w.th  h.m,  received  two  rapid  blows,  one  on  the  ^hdt 
and  the  other  on  the  nose,  which  knocked  him  over  the 
l>.tnk   mto   the   river,  while  his   conqueror  spran.  upon 
-o  .er  Indian.     Harry,  having   unfbrtunatily  sli  c    a 
the  b.ggest  savage  of  the  band,  as  his  special,  voperty 
rushed  upon  hm.  and  dealt  him  a  vigorous  blow  on  tlfj 
Iii'iid  with  his  pwldle. 

The  wcapo,,,  however,  was  made  of  li-ht  wood  and 
.nstead  of  felHng  hi,„  to  the  «,.„u„d,  brok:  0^7,1:'' 
SKM,g,ng  upon  each  other,  they  imn.edhttely  engaged  in 
a  herce  struggle,  u,  which  poor  Harry  learned,  when  t^ 
iate,  tha    h.s  wounded  shoulder  was  ahnost  powerle^ 
Meanwlnle,  the  Canadian  having  been  assaulted  by  three' 
Indians  at  once,  floored  one  at  the  onset,  and  imtnediately 
began  an  impromptu   war-dance  round  the   other   two 
dealing  hem  occasionally  a  kick  or  a  blow,  which  wo2' 
speedily  have  rendered  them  W,  de  combat,  had  they  no, 
succeeded  in  closing  upon  him,  when  all  thr:e  fell     L  ,y 
to  the  ground.    Jacques  and  Charley  having  succeeded  in 
o.x...om.ng  their  respective  opponents,  immediate;  ha" 
ened  to  his  rescue.    In  the  mean  time,  Harry  and  h  s 
foe  had  struggled  to  a  considerable  distance  from   the 
others,  gmdually  edging  towards  the  river's  bank.     Fee,! 
.ng  famt  from  his  wound,  the   former  at  length  sank 
under  the  weight  of  his  powerful  antagonist,  who  endeav- 


V     ■;^'':'tU' 


r-m 


378 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


l.) 

;, 

Hi> 

|;j 

1 

1^ 

II 


i 


ii  i 


1 1 
i  III  I  II 


ored  to  thrust  him  over  a  kind  of  cliff,  which  they  had 
approached.     He  was  on  the  point  of  accomplishing  his 
purpose,  when  Charley  and  his  friends  perceived  Harry's 
imminent  danger,  and  rushed  to  the  rescue.     Quickly 
though  they  ran,  however,  it  seemed  likely  that  they 
would  be  too  late.     Harry's  head  already  overhiu.g  the 
bank,  and  the  Indian  was  endeavoring  to  loosen  the  gripe 
of  the  young  man's  hand  from  his  throat,  preparatory  to 
tossing  him  over,  when  a  wild  cry  rang  through  the  forest, 
followed  by  the  reports  of  a  double-barrelled  gun,  fired  in 
quick  succession.     Immediately  after,  young  Hamilton 
bounded  like  a  deer  down  the  slope,  seized  the  Indian  by 
the  legs,  and  tossed  him  over  the  cliff,  where  he  turned  a 
complete  summersault  in  his  descent,  and  fell  with  a 
sounding  splash  into  the  water. 

«  Well  done,  cleverly  done,  lad ! "  cried  Jacques,  as 
he  and  the  rest  of  the  party  came  up  and  crowded  round 
Harry,  who  lay  in  a  state  of  partial  stupor  on  the  bank. 

At  this  moment  Redfeather  hastily  but  silently  ap- 
proached ;  his  broad  chest  was  heaving  heavily,  and  his 
expanded  nostrils  quivering  with  the  exertions  he  had 
made  to  reach  the  scene  of  action  in  time  to  succor  his 

friends. 

«  Thank  God,"  said  Hamilton,  softly,  as  he  kneeled 
beside  Harry,  and  supported  his  head,  while  Charley 
bathed  his  temples,  "  thank  God  that  I  have  been  in 
time  !  Fortunately  I  was  walking  by  the  river  consider- 
ably in  advance  of  Redfeather,  who  was  bringing  up  the 
canoe,  when  I  heard  the  sounds  of  the  fray,  and  hastened 

to  your  aid.'* 

At  this  moment,  Harry  opened  his  eyes,  and,  saying 
faintly  that  he  felt  better,  allowed  himself  to  be  raised  to 
a  sitting  posture,  while  his  coat  was  removed  and  his 


H  i 


[S 

hich  they  had 
iomplishing  his 
ceived  Harry's 
5cue.     Quickly 
tely  that  they 
T  overhung  the 
oosen  the  gripe 
preparatory  to 
ough  the  forest, 
led  gun,  fired  in 
i;)ung  Hamilton 
i  the  Indian  by 
ere  he  turned  a 
ind  fell  with  a 

ied  Jacques,  as 
.  crowded  round 
►r  on  the  bank, 
but  silently  ap- 
heaviiy,  and  his 
sertions  he  had 
ne  to  succor  his 

,  as  he  kneeled 
,  while  Charley 
I  have  been  in 
e  river  consider- 
bringing  up  the 
ay,  and  hastened 

;yes,  and,  saying 
if  to  be  raised  to 
•emoved  and  his 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


379 


wound  examined.  It  was  found  to  be  a  deep  flesh  wound 
m  the  shoulder,  from  which  a  fragment  of  the  broken 
arrow  still  protruded. 

"It's  a  wonder  to  me.  Mister  Harry,  how  ye  held  on 
to  that  big  thief  so  long,"  muttered  Jacques,  as  he  drew 
out  the  splinter  and  bandaged  up  the  shoulder.     Having 
completed  the  surgical  operation  after  a  rough  fashion 
they  collected  the  defeated  Indians.     Those  of  them  that 
were  able  to  walk,  were  bound  together  by  the  wrists 
and  marched  off  to  the  fort,  under  a  guard  which  was 
strengthened  by  the  arrival  of  several  of  the  fur  traders 
who  had  been   in  pursuit  of  the  fugitives,  and  were 
attracted  to  the  spot  by  the  shouts  of  the   combatants. 
Harry,  and  such  of  ^the  party  as  were  more  or  less  se- 
verely  mjured,  were  placed  in  canoes  and  conveyed  to 
btoney  Creek  by  the  lake,  into  which  Duck  River  runs 
at  the  distance  of  about  half  a  mile  from  the  spot  on 
which   the   skirmish   had   taken   place.     Misconna  was 
among  the  latter. 

On  arriving  at  Stoney  Creek,  the  canoe  party  found  a 
large  assemblage  of  the  natives  awaiting  them  on  the 
wharf,  and,  no  sooner  did  Misconna  land,  than  they  ad- 
vanced  to  seize  him.  ^ 

«  Keep  back,  friends,"  cried  Jacques,  who  perceived 
their  intentions,  and    stepped  hastily  between   them.^ 
Come  here,  lads,"  he  continued,  turning  to  his  compan- 
ions J  surround   Misconna.      He   is  our  prisoner,  and 
mus  ha  fair  justice  done  him,  accordin'  to  white  law." 

Ihey  fell  back  in  silence  on  observing  the  guide's 
determined  manner,  but  as  they  hurried  the  wretched 
culprit  towards  the  house,  one  of  the  Indians  pressed 
c.ose  upon  their  rear,  and,  before  any  one  could  prevent 
him,  dashed  his  tomahawk  into  Misconna's  brain.     See- 


nm 


380 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


ing  that  the  blow  was  mortal,  the  traders  ceased  to  offer 
any  further  opposition,  and  the  Indians  rushing  upon  his 
body,  bore  it  away,  amid  shouts  and  yells  of  execration, 
to  their  canoes,  to  one  of  which  the  body  was  fastened  by 
a  rope,  and  dragged  through  the  water  to  a  point  of  land 
that  jutted  out  into  the  lake  near  at  hand.  Here  they 
lighted  a  fire  and  burned  it  to  ashes. 

**#♦** 

There  seems  to  be  a  period  in  the  history  of  every 
one,  when  the  fair  aspect  of  this  world  is  darkened ;  when 
everything,  whether  past,  present,  or  future,  assumes  a 
hue  of  the  deepest  gloom,  —  a  period  when,  for  the  first 
time,  the  sun,  which  has  shone  in  the  mental  firmament 
with  more  or  less  briUiancy  from  childhood  upwards, 
entirely  disappears  behind  a  cloud  of  thick  darkness,  and 
leaves  the  soul  in  a  state  of  deep  melancholy,  —  a  time 
when  feelings  somewhat  akin  to  despair  pervade  us,  as 
we  begin  gradually  to  look  upon  the  past  as  a  bright, 
happy  vision,  out  of  which  we  have  at  last  awakened  to 
view  the  sad  realities  of  the  present,  and  look  forward 
with  sinking  hope  to  the  future.  Various  are  the  causes 
which  produce  this,  and  diverse  the  effects  of  it  on  differ- 
ently constituted  minds;  but  there  are  few,  we  apprehend, 
who  have  not  passed  through  the  cloud  in  one  or  other  of 
its  phases,  and  who  do  not  feel  that  this  first  period  of 
prolonged  sorrow  is  darker,  and  heavier,  and  worse  to 
bear,  than  many  of  the  more  truly  grievous  aflOlictions 
that  sooner  or  later  fall  to  the  lot  of  most  men. 

Into  a  state  of  mind  somewhat  similar  to  that  which 
we  have  endeavored  to  describe,  our  friend  Charley  Ken- 
nedy fell  immediately  after  the  events  just  narrated.  The 
sudden  and  awful  death  of  his  friend  Mr.  \Yhyte  fell  upoii 
his  young  spirit,  unaccustomed  as  he  was  to  scenes  of 


FROM  THE  F^R  NORTH. 


881 


sr,  and  worse  to 


bloodshed  and  violence,  with  overwhelming  power.   From 
the  depression,   however,  which  naturally  followed,  he 
would  probably  soon  have  rallied  had  not  Harry  Somer- 
ville's  wound  in  the  shoulder  taken  an  unfavorable  turn, 
and  obliged  him  to  remain  for  many  weeks  in  bed,  under 
the  influence  of  a  slow  fever,  so  that  Charley  felt  a  deso- 
lation creeping  over  his  soul,  that  no  effort  he  was  capa- 
ble of  making  could  shake  off.     It  is  true,  he  found  both 
occupation  and  pleasure  in  attending  upon  his  sick  friend; 
but  as  Harry's  illness  rendered  great  quiet  necessary, 
and  as  Hamilton  had  been  sent  to  take  charge  of  the  fish- 
ing station  mentioned  in  a  former  chapter,  Charley  was 
obliged  to  indulge  his  gloomy  reveries  in  silence.     To 
add  to  his  wretchedness,  he  received  a  letter  from  Kate 
about  a  week  after  Mr.  Whyte's  burial,  telling  him  of  the 
death  of  his  mother. 

Meanwhile,  Redfeather  and  Jacques  —  both  of  whom, 
at  their  young  master's  earnest  solicitation,  agreed  to 
winter  at    Stoney  Creek  ~  cultivated    each  other's  ac- 
quaintance sedulously.  There  were  no  books  of  any  kind 
at  the  outpost,  excepting  three  Bibles,  — one  belonging  to 
Charley,  and  one  to  Harry,  the  third  being  that  which 
had  been  presented  to  Jacques  by  Mr.  Conway  the  mis- 
sionary.    This  single  volume,  however,  proved  to  be  an 
ample  library  to  Jacques  and  his  Indian  friend.    Neither 
of  these  sons  of  the  forest  were  much  accustomed  to  read- 
ing ;  and  neither  of  them  would  have  for  a  moment  enter- 
tained the  idea  of  taking  to  literature  as  a  pastime  ;  but 
Redfeather  loved  the  Bible  for  the  sake  of  the  great 
truths  which  he  discovered  in  its  inspired  pages,  though 
much  of  what  he  read  was  to  him  mysterious  and  utterly 

r ^'     '^'"vquto,  uii  luc  uLiicr  ijaiiu,  reau  it, 

or  listened  to  his  friend,  with  that  philosophic  gravity  of 


/ 


l^iiii 


382 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  Sl  .._£!<AMS 


countenance,  and  earnestness  of  purpose,  which  he  dis- 
played in  regard  to  everything ;  and  deep,  serious,  and 
protracted  were  the  discussions  they  plunged  into,  as, 
night  after  night,  they  sat  on  a  log,  with  the  Bible  spread 
out  before  them,  and  read  by  the  light  of  the  blazing  fire, 
in  the  men's  house  at  Stoney  Creek.  Their  intercourse, 
however,  was  brought  to  an  abrupt  conclusion  by  the  un- 
expected arrival,  one  day,  of  Mr.  Conway,  the  missionary, 
in  his  tin  canoe.  This  gentleman's  appearance  was  most 
welcome  to  all  parties.  It  was  like  a  bright  ray  of  sun- 
shine to  Charley,  to  meet  with  one  who  could  fully  sym- 
pathize with  him  in  his  present  sorrowful  frame  of  mind. 
It  was  an  event  of  some  consequence  to  Harry  Somer- 
ville,  inasmuch  as  it  provided  him  with  an  amateur  doc- 
tor, who  really  understood  somewhat  of  his  physical  com- 
plaint, and  was  able  to  pour  balm,  at  once  literally  and 
spiritually,  into  his  wounds.  It  was  an  event  productive 
of  the  liveliest  satisfaction  to  Redfeather,  who  now  felt 
assured  that  his  tribe  would  have  those  mysteries  ex- 
plained, which  he  only  imperfectly  understood  himself; 
and  it  was  an  event  of  much  rejoicing  to  the  Indians 
themselves,  because  their  curiosity  had  been  not  a  little 
roused  by  what  they  heard  of  the  doings  and  sayings  of 
the  white  missionary,  who  lived  on  the  borders  of  the 
great  lake.  The  only  person,  perhaps,  on  whom  Mr. 
Conway's  arrival  acted  with  other  than  a  pleasing  influ- 
ence, was  Jacques  Caradoc.  This  worthy,  although  glad 
to  meet  with  a  man  whom  he  felt  inclined  both  to  love 
and  respect,  was  by  no  means  gratified  to  find  that  his 
friend  Redfeather  had  agreed  to  go  with  the  missionary 
on  his  visit  to  the  Indian  tribe,  and  thereafter  to  accom- 
pany him  to  the  settlement  on  Playgreen  Lake.  But, 
with  the  stoicism  that  was  natural  to  him,  Jacques  sub- 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


383 


mitted  to  circumstances  which  he  could  not  alter,  and 
contented  himself  with  assuring  Redfeather  that,  if  he 
lived  till  next  spring,  he  would  most  certainly  «  make 
tracks  for  the  great  lake,"  and  settle  down  at  the  mission- 
ary's station  along  with  him.  This  promise  was  made  at 
the  end  of  the  wharf  of  Stoney  Creek,  the  morning  on 
which  Mr.  Conway  and  his  party  embarked  in  their  tin 
canoe,  —  the  same  tin  canoe  at  wliich  Jacques  had  curled 
his  nose  contemptuously  when  he  saw  it  in  process  of 
being  constructed,  and  at  which  he  did  not  by  any  means 
curl  it  the  less  contemptuously  now  that  he  saw  it  finished. 
The  little  craft  answered  its  purpose  marvellously  well, 
however,  and  bounded  lightly  away  under  the  vigorous 
strokes  of  its  crew,  leaving  Charley  and  Jacques  on  the 
pier  gazing  wistfully  after  their  friends,  and  listening 
sadly  to  the  echoes  of  their  parting  song,  as  it  floated 
more  and  more  faintly  over  the  lake. 

Winter  came ;  but  no  ray  of  sunshine  broke  through 
the  dark  cloud  that  h':ng  over  Stoney  Creek.     Harry 
Soraerville,  instead  of  becoming  better,  grew  worse  and 
worse  every  day,  so  that  when  Charley  despatched  the 
winter  packet,  he  represented  the  illness  of  his  friend  lo 
the  powers  at  head-quarters  as  being  of  a  nature  that 
required  serious  and  immediate  attention,  and  change  of 
scene.     But  the  word  immtdiate  bears  a  slightly  differ- 
ent signification  in  the  backwoods  to  what  it  does  in  the 
lands  of  railroads  and  steamboats.     The  letter  containing, 
this  hint  took  many  weeks  to  traverse  the  waste  wilder- 
ness to  its  destination  —  months  passed  before  the  reply 
was  written,  and  many  weeks  more  elapsed   ere  its  con- 
tents were  rerused  by  Charley  and  his  friend.     When 
they  did  read  it,  however,  the  dark  cloud  that  had  hung 
over  them  so  long  burst  at  last  —  a  ray  of  sunshine 


Us 


884 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


Streamed  down  brightly  upon  their  hearts,  and  never  for- 
sook them  again,  although  it  did  lose  a  little  of  its  bril- 
liancy after  the  first  flash.  It  was  on  a  rich,  dewy,  cheer- 
ful morning  in  early  spring  when  the  packet  arrived,  and 
Charley  led  Harry,  who  was  slowly  recovering  his  wont- 
ed health  and  spirits,  to  their  favorite  rocky  resting-place 
on  the  margin  of  the  lake.  Here  he  placed  the  letter  in 
his  friend's  hand,  with  a  smile  of  genuine  delight.  It 
ran  as  follows :  — 

My  dear  Sir,  — Your  letter,  containing  the  account 
of  Mr.  Somerville's  illness,  has  been  forwarded  to  me ; 
and  I  am  instructed  to  inform  you  that  leave  of  absence, 
for  a  short  time,  has  been  granted  to  him.  I  have  had  a 
conversation  with  the  doctor  here,  who  advises  me  to 
recommend  that,  if  your  friend  has  no  other  summer  resi- 
dence  in  view,  he  should  spend  part  of  his  time  in  Red 
River  settlement.  In  the  event  of  his  agreeing  to  this,  I 
would  suggest  that  he  should  leave  Stoney  Creek  with  the 
first  brigade  in  spring,  or  by  express  canoe,  if  you  think 
it  advisable.  —  I  am,  &c. 

"  Short  but  sweet,  uncommonly  sweet !  *'  said  Harry, 
•as  a  deep  flush  of  joy  crimsoned  his  pale  cheeks,  while 
ihis  own  merry  smile,  that  had  been  absent  for  many  a 
weary  day,  returned  once  more  to  its  old  haunt,  and 
danced  round  its  accustomed  dimples  like  a  repentant 
wanderer  who  has  been  long  absent  from,  and  has  at  last 
returned  to,  his  native  home. 

"  Sweet,  indeed ! »  echoed  Charley.  «  But  that's  not 
all ;  here's  another  lump  of  sugar  for  you."  So  saying, 
he  pulled  a  letter  from  his  pocket,  unfolded  it  slowly, 
spread  it  out  on  his  knee,  and,  looking  up  at  his  expect- 
ant friend,  winked. 


FKOM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


385 


«  Go  on,  Charley ;  pray  don't  tantalize  me." 

"  Tantalize  you !     My  dear  fellow,  nothing  is  farther 

from  my  thoughts.     Listen  to  this  paragraph  in  my  dear 

old  father's  letter  : 

" '  So  you  see,  my  dear  Charley,  that  we  have  managed 
to  get  you  appointed  to  the  charge  of  Lower  Fort  Garry 
and  as  I  hear  that  poor  Harry  Somerville  is  to  get  leave' 
of  absence,  you  had  better  bring  him  along  with  you  I 
need  not  add  that  my  house  is  at  his  service  as  long  as  he 
may  wish  to  remain  in  it.' 

-There!  what  think  ye  of  that,  my  boy?"  said 
Charley,  as  he  folded  the  letter,  and  returned  it  to  his 
pocket. 

"I  think,"  replied  Harry,  «  that  your  father  is  a  dear 
old  gentleman,  and  I  hope  that  you'll  only  be  half  as 
good  when  you  come  to  his  time  of  life ;  and  I  think  I'm 
so  happy  to-day,  that  I'll  be  able  to  walk  without  the 
assistance  of  your  arm  to-morrow  ;  and  I  think  we  had 
better  go  back  to  the  house  now,  for  I  feel,  oddly  enou-h 
as  tired  as  if  I  had  had  a  long  walk.  Ah  !  Charley,  my 
dear  fellow,  that  letter  will  prove  to  be  the  best  doctor 
1  have  had  yet.  But  now  tell  me  what  you  intend  to 
do." 

Charley  assisted  his  friend  to  rise,  and  led  him  slowly 
back  to  the  house,  as  he  replied, 

"  Do,  my  boy .?  That's  soon  said.  I'll  make  things 
square  and  straight  at  Stoney  Creek  ;  I'll  send  for  Ham- 
ilton, and  make  him  interim  commander-in-chief;  I'll 
write  two  letters,  one  to  the  gentleman  in  charge  of  the 
district,  telling  him  of  my  movements ;  the  other  (con- 
taming  a  screed  of  formal  instructions)  to  the  miserable 
mortal  who  shall  succeed  me  here ;  I'll  take  the  best 
canoe  in  our  store,  load  it  with  provisions,  put  you  carefuUy 

25 


886 


SNOWFLAKES   AND  SUNBEAMS 


in  the  middle  of  it,  stick  Jacques  in  th(  bow,  and  my- 
self in  the  stern,  and  start,  two  weeks  hence,  neck  and 
crop,  head  over  heels,  through  thick  and  thin,  wet  and 
dry,  over  portage,  river,  full,  and  lake,  for  Red  River 
settlement ! " 


i 

i 


i'  ',:'M 
B  •  "Pi 


*!: 


'  i,!ia 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


887 


i,  ?ii 

M 

r    i 

I'M'' 


^  l! 


Ml 


CHAPTER   XXVIII. 

OLD  FRIENDS  AND  SCENES;  COMING  EVENT8  CAST  THEIR  SHADOWS 

BEVORE. 

TI/TR.  KENNEDY,  senior,  was  seated  in  his  own  com- 
-LtX  fortable  arm-clmir  before  tlie  fire,  in  his  own  clieer- 
fill  little  parlor,  in  his  own  snug  house,  at  Red  River; 
with  his  own   highly  characteristic  breakfast  of  buffalo- 
steaks,  tea,  and  peramican  before  him,  and  his  own  beau- 
tiful, affectionate  daughter  Kate  presiding  over  the  tea- 
pot, and  exercising  unwarrantably  despotic  sway  over  a 
large  gray  cat,  whose  sole  happiness  seemed  to  consist  in 
subjecting   Mr.  Kennedy  to  perpetual   annoyance,  and 
whose  main  object  in  life  was  to  catch  its  master  and 
mistress  off  their  guard,  that  it  might  go  quietly  to  the 
table,  the  meat-safe,  or  the  pantry,  and  there  —  deliber- 
ately —  steal ! 

Kate    had  grown  very  much  since  we  saw  her  last. 
She  was  quite  a  woman  now,   and   well  worthy  of  a 
minute  description  here  ;    but  we  never  could  describe  a 
woman  to  our  own  satisfaction.      We  have   frequently 
tried  and  failed ;  so  we  substitute,  in  place,  the  remarks 
of  Kate's  friends  and  acquaintances  about  her,  —  a  crite- 
rion on  which  to  form  a  judgment,  that  is  a  pretty  correct 
one,  especially  when  the  opinion  pronounced  happens  to 
be  favorable.      Her  father  said  she  was  an  angel,  and 
the  only  joy  of  his  life.     This  latter  expression,  we  mav 
remark,  was  false  j  for  Mr.  Kennedy  frequently  said  to 


mrw 


388 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNREAMS 


Kate,  conlidcnti.illy,  that  Clmrley  was  a  great  happinesa 
to  him  ;  and  we  are  quite  sure  that  the  pipe  had  some- 
thing to  do  with  the  felicity  of  his  existence.  But  the  old 
gentleman  said  that  Kate  was  the  onlt/  joy  of  his  life, 
and  that  is  all  we  have  to  do  with  at  present.  Several 
ill-tempered  old  ladies  in  the  settlement  said  that  Miss 
Kennedy  was  really  a  quiet  modest  girl;  —  testimony 
this  (considering  the  source  whence  it  came)  that  was 
quite  conclusive.  Then,  old  Mr.  Grant  reniaBked  to  old 
Mr.  Kennedy,  over  a  confidential  pipe,  that  Kate  was 
certainly,  in  his  opinion,  the  most  modest  and  the  prettiest 
girl  in  Red  River.  Her  old  school  companions  called 
her  a  darling.  Tom  Whyte  said  "  he  never  see'd  nothink 
like  her  nowhere."  The  clerks  spoke  of  her  in  terms  too 
glowing  to  remember;  ,nd  the  last  arrival  among  them, 
the  youngest,  with  the  slang  of  the  "  old  country  "  fresh 
on  his  lips,  called  her  a  stunner  /  Even  Mrs.  Grant  got 
up  one  of  her  half-expressed  remarks  about  her,  which 
everybody  would  have  supposed  to  be  quizzical  in  its  na- 
ture, were  it  not  for  the  I'Vequent  occurrence  of  the  terms 
"  good  girl,"  '•  innocent  creature,"  which  seemed  to  contra- 
dict that  idea.  There  were  also  one  or  two  hapless  swains 
who  said  nothing,  but  what  they  did  and  looked  was,  in 
itself,  unequivocal.  They  went  quietly  into  a  state  of 
slow,  drivelling  imbecility  whenever  they  happened  to 
meet  with  Kate ;  looked  as  if  they  had  become  shock- 
ingly unwell,  and  were  rather  pleased  than  otherwise  that 
their  friends  should  think  so,  too  ;  and,  upon  all  and  every 
occasion  in  which  Kate  was  concerned,  conducted  them- 
selves with  an  amount  of  insane  stupidity  (although  sane 
enough  at  other  times,)  that  nothing  could  account  for, 
save  the  idea  thai  their  admiration  of  her  was  inexpressi- 
ble, and  that  that  was  the  most  effective  wav  in  which 
they  could  express  it. 


FROM  TFIK  FAR  NORTH. 


889 


"Kate,  my  dnrling,"  said  Mr.  Kennedy,  as  he  finished 
the  last  mouthful  of  tea,  "  wouldn't  it  be  capital  to  get 
another  letter  from  Charley  ?  " 

"  Yes,  dear  papa ;  it  would,  indeed!  But  I  am  quite 
sure  that  the  next  time  we  shall  hear  from  him  will  be 
when  he  arrives  here,  and  makes  the  house  ring  with  his 
own  dear  voice." 

'*  How  so,  girl  ?"  said  the  old  trader,  with  a  smile.     It 
may  as  well  be  remarked  here  that  the  above  opening  of 
conversation  was  by  no  means  new.     It  was  stereotyped 
now.      Ever   since  Charley  had  been  appointed  to  the 
management  of  Lower  Fort  Garry,  his  father  had  been 
so  engrossed  by  the   idea,  and  spoke  of  it  to  Kate  so  fre- 
quently, that  he  had  got  into  a  way  of  feeling  as  if  the 
event  so  much  desired  would  happen  in  a  few  days,  al- 
though he  knew  quite  well  that  it  could  not,  in  the  course 
of  ordinary  or  extra-ordinary 'circumstances,  occur  in  less 
than  several  months.     However,  as  time  rolled  on  he  be- 
gan regularly,  every  day  or  two,  to  ask   Kate  questions 
about  Charley  that  she  could  not  by  any  possibility  an- 
swer, but  which,  he  knew  from  ex[)erience,  would  lead 
her  into  a  confabulation  about  his  son,  which  helped  a 
little  to  allay  his  impatience. 

"  Why,  you  see,  father,"  she  replied,  « it  is  three 
months  since  we  got  his  last,  and  you  know  there  has  been 
no  opportunity  of  forwarding  letters  from  Stoney  Creek 
since  it  was  despatched.  Now,  the  next  opportunity  that 
occurs " 

"Mee-aow!"  interrupted  the  cat,  which  had  just  fin- 
ished two  pats  of  fresh  butter  without  being  detected,  and 
began,  rather  recklessly,  to  exult. 

"  Hang  that  cat ! "  cried  the  old  gentleman,  angrily 

"it'll  bo  ♦lio  A^c.fU  ^»  ^ i.    »j  _     1       .   .         .      -       °.  ,    ' 

-1-  i_  ,„^  a^aiix  o  uic  ^ut  i     auu,  seizing  the  iirst  thing 


_kt  ,j^jmi^ 


890 


SNOWFLAKKS  AND  SUNBKAMS 


that  came  to  liarnl,  which  happctuMl  to  he  the  Uia?  of 
bread,  dit^charged  it  witii  siicli  viohmce,  and  with  so  cor- 
rect an  aim,  that  it  knocked,  not  only  tiie  cat,  but  tiic  tea- 
pot and  augai'-bowl  also,  off  the  table. 

"  O  dear  papa !  "  exclaimed  Kate. 

*'  Really,  my  dear,''  cried  Mr.  Kennedy,  half  angry 
and  half  ashamed,  "  we  must  get  rid  of  that  brute  im- 
mediately. It  has  scarcely  been  a  week  here,  and  it  luis 
done  more  mischief  already  than  a  score  of  ordinary  cats 
would  have  done  in  a  twelvemonth." 

"  But  then,  the  mice,  papa " 

"  Well,  but  —  but  —  oh  !  hang  the  mice !  " 

"  Yes  ;  but  how  are  we  to  catch  them  ?  "  said  Kate. 

At  this  moment,  the  cook,  who  had  heard  the  sound  of 
breaking  crockery,  and  judged  it  expedient  that  he  should 
be  present,  opened  the  door. 

"  How  now,  rascal ! "  exclaimed  his  master,  striding  up 
to  him.     "  Did  I  ring  for  you  ?  eh  ?  " 

«  No,  sir ;  but " 

"  But !  eh !   but !   no  more  buts,  you  scoundrel,  else 

rii » 

The  motion  of  Mr.  Kennedy's  fist  warned  the  cook  to 
make  a  precipitate  retreat,  which  he  did  at  the  same 
moment  that  the  cat  resolved  to  run  for  its  life.  This 
caused  them  to  meet  in  the  doorway,  and,  making  a  com- 
pound entanglement  with  the  mat,  they  both  fell  into  the 
passage  with  a  loud  crash.  Mr.  FtMin'^dy  shu^  the  door 
gently,  and  returned  to  his  chair,  putting  Kate  on  the 
head  as  he  passed. 

"  Now,  darling,  go  on  with  what  you  were  saying ; 
and  don't  mind  the  teapot  —  let  it  lie." 

-'  Well,"  resumed  Kate,  with  a  smile,  "  I  was  saying 
that  the  next  opportunity  Charley  can  have  will  be  by 


FROM  THE   FAR  NORTFf. 


391 


vere  saying; 


the  brigndo  in  spring,  which  wc  expcH-t  to  arrive  here,' 
you  know,  a  month  henc««,  but  we  won't  get  a  letter  by 
that,  as  I  fpel  convinced  that  he  and  Harry  will  come  by 
it  them.sc'ves." 

"  And  the  express  canoe,  Kate,  —  tlie  express  canoe,'* 
said  Mr.  Kennedy,  with  a  contortion  of  the  lefl  side  of 
his  head  that  was  intended  for  a  wink,  —  "you  know 
they  got  leave  to  come  by  exi)ress,  Kate." 

"  Oh,  as  to  the  express,  father,  I  don't  expect  them  to 
come  by  that,  as  poor  Harry  Somervillc  has  been  so  ill 
that  they  would  never  think  of  venturing  to  subject  him 
to  all  the  discomforts,  not  to  mention  the  dangers,  of  a 
canoe  voyage." 

"I  don't  know  that,  lass,  — I  don't  know  that,'*  said 
Mr.  Kennedy,  giving  another  contortion  with  his  left 
cheek.  "  In  fact,  I  shouldn't  wonder  if  they  arrived  this' 
very  day,  and  it's  well  to  be  on  the  look-out,  so  I'm  off 
to  the  banks  of  the  river,  Kate."  Saying  this,  the  old 
gentleman  threw  on  an  old  fur  cap  with  the  peak  all 
awry,  thrust  his  left  hand  into  his  right  glove,  put  on  the 
other  with  the  back  to  the  front  and  the  thumb  in  the 
middle  finger,  and  bustled  out  of  the  house,  muttering 
as  he  went  —  « Yes,  its  well  to  be  on  the  look-out  for 
him." 

Mr.  Kennedy,  however,  was  disappointed;  Charley 
did  not  arrive  that  day,  nor  the  next,  nor  the  day  after 
that.  Nevertheless  the  old  gentleman's  faith  each  day 
remained  as  firm  as  on  the  day  previous,  that  Charley 
would  arrive  on  that  day  "  for  certain."  About  a  week 
after  this,  Mr.  Kennedy  put  on  his  hat  and  gloves  as 
u^^ual,  and  sauntered  down  to  the  banks  of  the  river, 
where  his  perseverance  was  rewarded  by  the  sight  of  a 
small  canoe  rapidly  approaching  the  landing-place?  From 


392 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


m 


ji 


I 

'! 


i     1 


H' 


'1 . 


the  costume  of  ihe  th)  '3e  men  who  propelled  it,  the  cut 
of  the  cunoe  itself,  the  precision  and  energy  of  its  move- 
ments, and  several  other  minute  points  about  it,  only 
apparent  to  the  accustomed  eye  of  a  nor'wester,  he  judged 
at  once  that  this  was  a  new  arrival,  and  not  merely 
one  of  the  canoes  belon{^,ing  to  tlie  settlers,  many  of 
which  might  be  seen  passing  up  and  down  the  river.  As 
they  drew  near,  he  tixod  his  eyes  eagerly  upon  them. 

"Very  odd,"  he  exclaimed,  while  a  shade  of  disap- 
pointment passed  over  his  brow,  "  it  ought  to  be  him, 
but  it's  not  like  him  —  too  big  —  different  nose  altogether 
—  don't  know  any  of  the  three  —  humph  !  —  well,  he's 
sure  to  come  to-morrov/,  at  all  events."  Having  come 
to  the  conclusion  that  it  was  not  Charley's  canoe,  he 
wheeled  sulkily  round  and  sauntered  back  towards  his 
house,  intending  to  solace  himself  with  a  pipe.  At  that 
moment  he  heard  a  shout  behind  him,  and,  ere  he  could 
well  turn  round  to  see  whence  it  came,  a  young  man 
bounded  up  the  bank  and  seized  him  in  his  arms  with  a 
hug  that  threatened  to  dislocate  his  ribs.  The  old  gentle- 
man's first  impulse  was  to  bestow  on  his  antagonist  (for 
he  verily  believed  him  to  be  such)  one  of  those  vigorous 
touches  with  his  clenched  first,  which,  in  days  of  yore, 
used  to  bring  some  of  his  disputes  to  a  summary  and 
effectual  close  ;  but  his  intention  changed  when  the  youth 
spoke. 

"Father,  dear,  dear  father!"  said  Charley,  as  he 
loor.ened  his  grasp,  and,  still  holding  him  by  both  hands, 
looked  earnestly  into  his  face  with  swimming  eyes. 

Old  Mr.  Kennedy  seemed  to  have  lost  his  powers  of 
speech.  He  gazed  at  his  son  for  a  few  seconds  in  silence, 
then  suddenlv  threw  his  arms  around  him  and  enganfed 
in  a  species  of  wrestle,  which  he  intended  for  an  embrace. 


FROM  THE  FAB  NORTH. 


393 


«  0  Charley,  my  boy  !  "  he  exclaimed,  "you've  come 
at   last  —  God   bless   you  !    let's    look   at   you  —  quite 
changed  —  six  feet  —-  no,  not  quite  changed—  the  old 
nose  —  black  as  an  Indian.     O  Charley,  my  dear  boy  ! 
I've  been  waiting  for  you  for  months  ;  why  did  you  keep 
me  so  long  ?  eh  !     Hang  it,  where's  my  handkerchief.?  " 
At  this  last  exclamation,  Mr.  Kennedy's  feelings  quite 
overcame  him ;  his  full  heart  overflowed  at  his  eyes,  so 
that  when  he  tried  to  look  at  his  son,  Charley  ai)pea'red 
partly  magnified  and  partly  broken  up  into  fragments. 
Fumbling    in  his  pocket  for  the  missing    handkerchief, 
which  he  did  not  find,  he  suddenly  seized  his  fur  cap,  in 
a  burst  of  exasperation,  and  wiped  his  eyes  with  that. 
Immediately  after,  forgetting  that  it  was  a  cap,  he  thrust 
it  into  his  pocket. 

«  Come,  dear  father,"  cried  Charley,  drawing  the  old 
man's  arm  through  his,  » let  us  go  home.  Is  Kate'' there  ?  " 
« Ay,  ay,"  cried  Mr.  Kennedy,  waving  his  hand  as  he 
was  dragored  away,  and  bestowing,  quite  unwittingly,  a 
back-handed  slap  on  the  cheek  to  Harry  Somerville 
which  nearly  felled  that  youth  to  the  ground.  "Ay, 
ay !  Kate,  to  be  sure,  darling  ;  yes,  quite  right,  Charley ;' 
a  pipe,  —  that's  it  my  boy,  let's  have  a  pipe  ! "  And 
thus,  uttering  incoherent  and  broken  sentences,  he  dis- 
appeared through  the  doorway  with  his  long  lost  and  now 
recovered  son. 

Meanwhile  Harry  and  Jacques  continued  to  pace 
quietly  before  the  house,  waiting  patiently  until  the  first 
ebullition  of  feeling,  at  the  meeting  of  Charley  with  his 
father  and  sister,  should  be  over.  In  a  few  minutes 
Charley  ran  out. 

"  Hnllo.  Hnrrv'   pn^vi"   ^"    "^^  l.^j.  .   i"-. .•-_  n         , 

--, S.J  ,   L-v.a,^   111,  ri,y  uwy  ,,  iurgivu  uiy  forget- 

fulness,  but . " 


^^B 

IH 

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^^^1 

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^^^H 

t 
1 

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,    I 
1  '■ 

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if           4 

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->^^^H 

£f 

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«B 

H^^r 

S-r 

P 

394 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


"  My  dear  fellow,"  interrupted  Harry,  "  what  nonsense 
you  are  talking !  Of  course  you  forgot  me,  and  every- 
body, and  everything  on  earth  just  now ;  but  have  you 
seen  Kate?  is " 

"  Yes,  yes,"  cried  Charley,  as  he  pushed  his  friend  be- 
fore hira,  and  dragged  Jacques  after  him  into  the  parlor. 
"  Here's  Harry,  father,  and  Jacques ;  you've  heard  of 
Jacques,  Kate?" 

"  Harry,  ray  dear  boy,'*  cried  Mr.  Kennedy,  seizing 
his  young  friend  by  the  hand,  «  how  are  you,  lad  ?  Bet- 
ter, I  hope." 

At  that  moment,  Mr.  Kennedy's  eye  fell  on  Jacques, 
who  stood  in  the  doorway,  cap  in  hand,  with  the  usual 
quiet  smile  lighting  up  his  countenance. 

"  What !  Jacques !  Jacques  Caradoc  ! "  he  cried  in  as- 
tonishment. 

"The  same,  sir;  you  an'  I  have  know'd  each  other 
afore  now  in  the  way  o'  trade,"  answered  the  hunter,  as 
he  grasped  his  old  bourgeois  by  the  hand,  and  wrung  it 
warmly. 

Mr.  Kennedy,  senior,  was  so  overwhelmed  by  the  com- 
bination of  exciting  influences  to  which  he  was  now  sub- 
jected, that  he  plunged  his  hand  into  his  pocket  for  the 
handkerchief  again,  and  pulled  out  the  fur  hat  instead, 
which  he  flung  angrily  at  the  cat ;  then,  using  the  sleeve 
of  his  coat  as  a  substitute,  he  proceeded  to  put  a  series 
of  abrupt  questions  to  Jacques  and  Charley  simultane- 
ously. 

In  the  mean  timo,  Harry  went  up  to  Kate  and  stared 
at  her.  We  do  not  mean  to  say  that  he  was  intention- 
ally rude  to  her.  No !  He  went  towards  her,  intending 
to  shake  hands,  and  renew  acquaintance  with  his  old 
companion ;  but  the  moment  he  caught  sight  of  her,  he 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


395 


u've  heard  of 


le  cried  in  as- 


was  struck  not  only  dumb,  but  motionless.  The  odd 
part  of  it  was  that  Kate,  too,  was  affected  in  precisely  the 
same  way,  and  both  of  them  exclaimed  mentally,  "  Can 
It  be  possible  ?  "  Their  lips,  however,  gave  no  utterance 
to  the  question.  At  length  Kate  recollected  herself,  and 
blushing  deeply,  held  out  her  hand,  as  she  said,  — 

"Forgive  me,  Har  —  Mr.  Somerville,  I  was  so  sur- 
prised  at  your  altered  appearance,  I  could  scarcely  be- 
lieve that  my  old  friend  stood  before  me." 

Harry's  cheeks  crimsoned,  as  he  seized  her  hand  and 
said -"Indeed,  Ka  — a  — Miss  — that  is,  in  fact,  I've 
been  very  ill,  and  doubtless  have  chan-ed  somewhat ;  but 
the  very  same  thought  struck  me  in  regard  to  yourself 
you  are  so  —  so "  ' 

Fortunately  for  Harry,  who  was  gradually  becoming 
more  and  more  confused,  to  the  amusement  of  Charley, 
who  had  closely  observed  the  meeting  of  his  friend  and 
sister,  Mr.  Kennedy  came  up. 

''Eh!  what's  that?  What  did  you  say  struck  you, 
Harry,  my  lad?" 

"  Tou  did,  father,  on  his  arrival,"  replied  Charley, 
with  a  broad  grin,  "  and  a  very  neat  back-hander  it 
was." 

^^  "Nonsense,  Charley," interrupted  Harry,  with  a  laugh, 
"I  was  just  saying,  sir,  that  Miss  Kennedy  is  so  changed 
that  I  could  hardly  believe  it  to  be  herself." 

"And  I  had  just  paid  Mr.  Somerville  the  same  com- 
pliment, papa,"  cried  Kate,  laughing  and  blushing  simul- 
taneously. 

Mr.  Kennedy  thrust  his  hands  into  his  pocket.^ 
frowned  portentously  as  he  looked  from  the  one  to  the 
other,  and  said,  slowly,  « .¥m  Kennedy,  Mr,  Somer- 
ville!" then    turning   to   his  son,   remarked —  « That's 


1 


iflliPI 


li  >! 


'HI 


iiii 


Jlllll, 

[iiiij! 


i:llllllll' 


396 


SNOWFLaKES  and  SUNBEAM3 


something  new,  Charley,  lad  ;  that  girl  is  Miss  Kennedy, 
and  that  youth  there  is  Mr.  Somerville  !  " 

Charley  laughed  loudly  at  this  sally,  especially  when 
the  old  gentleman  followed  it  up  with  a  series  of  contor- 
tions of  the  left  cheek,  meant  for  violent  winking. 

•-  Right,  father,  right,  it  won't  do  here.  We  don't 
know  ai?ybody  but  Kate  and  Harry  in  this  house." 

Harry  laughed  in  his  own  genuine  style  at  this. 

"  Well,  Kate  be  it,  with  all  my  heart,"  said  he  ;  "  but, 
really,  at  first  she  seemed  so  unlike  the  Kate  of  former 
days,  that  I  could  not  bring  myself  to  call  her  so." 

"  Humph  ! "  said  Mr.  Kennedy.  "  But  come,  boys, 
with  me  to  my  smoking  room,  and  let's  have  a  talk  over 
a  pipe,  while  Kate  looks  after  dinner."  Giving  Charley 
another  squeeze  of  the  hand,  and  Harry  a  pat  on  the 
shoulder,  the  old  gentleman  put  on  his  cap  (with  the 
peak  behind)  and  led  the  way  to  his  glass  divan  in  the 
garden. 

It  is  perhaps  unnecessary  for  us  to  say,  that  Kate 
Kennedy  and  Harry  Somerville  had,  within  the  last  hour, 
fallen  deeply,  hopelessly,  utterly,  irrevocably,  and  totally 
in  love  with  each  otlier.  They  did  not  merely  fall  up  to 
the  ears  in  love.  To  say  that  they  fell  over  head  and 
ears  in  it  would  be,  comparatively  speaking,  to  say  noth- 
ing. In  fact,  they  did  not  fall  into  it  at  all.  They  went 
deliberately  backwards,  took  a  long  race,  sprang  high 
into  the  air,  turned  completely  round,  and  went  down 
head  first  into  the  flood,  descending  to  a  depth  utterly 
beyond  the  power  of  any  deep-sea-lead  to  fathom,  or  of 
any  human  mind  adequately  to  appreciate.  Up  to  that 
day,  Kate  had  thought  of  Harry  as  the  hilarious  youth 
who  used  to  take  every  opportunity  he  could  of  escaping 
from  the  counting-rooin  and  hastening  to  spend  the  after- 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


397 


noon  in  rambling  through  the  woods  with  her  and  Char- 
ley. But  the  instant  she  saw  him,  a  man,  — with  a 
bright,  cheerful  countenance,  on  which  rough  living  and 
exposure  to  frequent  peril  had  stamped  unmistakable 
Imes  of  energy  and  decision,  v  ,d  to  which  recent  illness 
had  imparted  a  captivating  touch  of  sadness, -the  mo- 
ment  she  beheld  this,  and  the  undeniable  scrap  of  whis- 
ker that  graced  his  cheeks,  and  the  slight  shade  that 
rested  on  his  upper  lip,  her  heart  leapt  violently  into  her 
throat,  where  it  stuck  hard  and  fast,  like  a  stranded  ship 
on  a  lee  shore. 

In  like  manner,  when  Harry  beheld  his  former  friend, 
a  woman  — with  beaming  eyes  and  clustering  ringlets, 
and  —  (there,  we  won't  attempt  it !)  —  in  fact,  surrounded 
by  every  nameless  and  nameable  grace  that  makes  woman 
exasperatingly  delightful,  his  heart  performed  the  same 
eccentric  movement,  and  he  felt  that  his  fate  was  sealed, 
that  he  had  been  sucked  into  a  rapid  which  was  too' 
strong  even  for  his  expert  and  powerful  arm  to  contend 
against,  and  that  he  must  drift  with  the  current  now, 
nolens  volens,  and  run  it  as  he  best  could. 

When  Kate  retired  to  her  sleeping  apartment  that 
night,  she  endeavored  to  comport  herself  in  her  usual 
manner  ;  but  all  her  efforts  failed.  She  sat  down  on  her 
bed,  and  remained  motionless  for  half  an  hour,  then  she 
started  and  sighed  deeply;  then  she  smiled  and  opened 
her  Bib  a,  but  forgot  to  read  it;  then  she  rose  hastily, 
sighed  again,  took  off  her  gown,  hung  it  up  on  a  peg,  and,' 
returning  to  the  dressing  table,  sat  down  on  her  beJt  bon- 
net; then  she  cried  a  little  at  which  point  the  candle  sud- 
denly went  out,  so  she  gave  a  slight  scream,  and  at  last 
went  to  bed  in  the  dark. 

Three  hours  afterwards,  Harry  Somerville,  who  had 
been  enjoying  a  cigar  and  a  chat  with  Charley  and  his 


898 


SNOWFLAKES   AND   SUNBEAMS 


J        ! 


hr.:Mf->:^'  'I'ul . 


father,  rose,  and,  bidding  his  friends  good-night,  re- 
tired to  his  chamber,  where  he  flung  himself  down  on 
a  chair,  thrust  his  hands  into  his  pockets,  stretched 
out  his  legs,  gazed  abstractedly  before  him  and  ex- 
claimed —  "  O  Kate  !  my  exquisite  girl,  you've  floored 
me  quite  flat!" 

As  he  continued  to  sit  in  silence,  the  gaze  of  affec- 
tion gradually  and  slowly  changed  into  a  look  of  in- 
tense astonishment  as  he  beheld  the  gray  cat  sitting 
comfortably  on  the  table,  and  regarding  him  with  a 
look  of  complacent  interest,  as  if  it  thought  Harry's  style 
of  addressing  it  was  highly  satisfactory  —  though  rather 
unusual. 

"  Brute ! "  exclaimed  Harry,  springing  from  his  seat, 
and  darting  towards  it.     But  the  cat  was  too  well  accus- 
tomed to  old  Mr.  Kennedy's  sudden  onsets  to  be  easily 
taken  by  surprise.     With  a  bound  it  reached  the  floor, 
and  took  shelter  under  the  bed,  whence  it  was  not  ejected 
until  Harry,  having  first  thrown  his  shoes,  soap,  clothes- 
brush,  and  razor-strop  at  it,  besides  two  or  three  books, 
and  several  miscellaneous   articles   of    toilet  —  at  last 
opened  the  door  (a  thing,  by  the  way,  that  people  would 
do  well  always  to  remember  before  endeavoring  to  expel 
a  cat  from  an  impregnable  position)  and  drew  the  bed 
into  the  middle  of  the  room.     Then,  but  not  till  then,  it 
fled,  with  its  back,  its  tail,  its  hair,  its  eyes  —  in  short,  its 
entire  body,  bristling  in  rampant  indignation.     Having 
dislodged   the    enemy,  Harry  replaced  the  bed,  threw 
off  his    coat  and   waistcoat,    untied   his    neckcloth,  sat 
down  on  his  chair  again,  and  fell  into  a  reverie;  from 
which,  after  half  an  hour,  he  started,  clasped  his  hands, 
stamped  his  foot,  glared  up  at  the  ceiling,  slapped  his 
thigh,  and  exclairaed,  iu  the  voice  of  a  hero  —  "  Yes,  I'll 
do  it,  or  die ! " 


FROM  THE  FAR   NORTH. 


399 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 

THE  FIRST  DAY  AT  HOME,    A  GALLOP  TN  THE  PRAIRIE,  AND  ITS 

CONSEQUENCES. 

"VTEXT  morninrr,  as  the  quartette  were  at  breakfast, 
-^  ^  ]\ir.  Kennedy,  senior,  took  occasion  to  propound  to 
his  son  the  plans  he  had  laid  down  for  them  during  the 
next  week. 

"In  the  first  place,  Charley,  my  boy,"  said  he,  as  well 
as  a  large  mouthful  of  buffl^lo  steak  and  potato  would 
permit,  "you  must  drive  up  to  the  fort  and  report  your- 
self; Harry  and  I  will  go  with  you,  and,  after  we  have 
paid  our  respects  to  old  Grant,  (another  cup  of  tea,  Kate, 
my  darling,)  you  recollect  1dm,  Charley  don't  you  .?  " 
•    "  Yes,  perfectly." 

"  Well,  then,  after  we've  been  to  see  him,  wij'll  drive 
down   the  river,  and  call  on  our   friends   at   the   mill. 
Then  we'll  look  in  on  the  Thomsons;  and  give  a  call 
in  passmg,  on  old  Neverin,  -  he's  always  out,  so  he'll 
be  pleased  to  hear  we  were  there,  and  it  won't  detain  us. 
Ihen " 

"  But,  dear  father,  excuse  my  interrupting  you,  Harry 
and  I  are  very  anxious  to  spend  our  first  day  at  home  en- 
tirely with  you  and  Kate.  Don't  you  think  it  would  be 
more  pleasant  ?  and  then,  to-morrow " 

"  Now,  Charley,  this  is  too  bad  of  you,"  said  Mr. 
Kennedy,  with  a  look  of  affected  i.:dignation  ;  «  no  sooner 
have  you  come  back,  than  you're  at  your  old  tricks,  op- 
posing and  thwarting  your  father's  wishes." 


3' 


JLi& 


400 


SNOWFLAKKS  AND  SUNHKAMS 


"  Indeed,  I  do  not  wish  to  do  so,  fntlicr,"  replied  Clinr- 
Icy,  with  u  smile;  "  hut  I  thoiijrht  that  you  wouhl  llko 
my  plan  better  yourself,  and  that  it  would  afl'ord  us  an 
opportunity  of  having,'  a  ^'ood,  lon<;,  satisfactory  talk  about 
all  that  concerns  us,  past,  present,  and  future." 

"  What  a  darin«5  mind  you  have,  Charley,"  said  Harry, 
"to  speak  of  cramminji  a  snfisfacton/  talk  of  the  past,  the 
present,  and  the  future  all  into  one  day  ! " 

"  Harry  will  take  another  cup  of  tea,  Kate,"  said 
Charley,  with  an  arch  smile,  as  he  went  on, — 

"  Besides,  father,  JacHjues  tells  me  that  he  means  to  go 
off  immediately,  to  visit  a  number  of  his  old  voyufieur 
friends  in  the  settlement,  and  I  cannot  part  with  him 
till  we  have  had  one  more  canter  together  over  the 
prairies.  I  want  to  show  him  to  Kate,  for  he's  u  great 
original." 

"  Oh !  that  loill  be  charming !  "  cried  Kate.  «  I  should 
like  of  all  things  to  be  introduced  to  the  bold  hunter  ;  — 
another  cup  of  tea,  Mr.  S —  Harry,  I  mean  ?  " 

Harry  started  on  being  thus  unexpectedly  addressed. 
"  Yes,  if  you  please  —  that  is  —  thank  you  —  no,  my  cup's 
full  already,  Kate  !  " 

"  Well,  well,"  broke  in  Mr.  Kennedy,  senior,  ' 
you're  all  leagued  against  me,  so  I  give  in.      But  I  &... 
not  accompany  you  on  your  ride,  as  my  bones  are  a  litti- 
stiffer  than  they  used  to  be,"  (the  old  gentleman  sighed 
heavily,)  "  and  riding  far  knocks  me  up ;  —  but  I've  got 
business  to  atteml  to  in  my  glass  house  which  will  occupy 
me  till  dinner-time." 

"  If  the  business  you  speak  of,"  began  Charley,  "is  not 

incompatible  with  a  cigar,  I  shall  be  happy  to " 

"Why,  as  to  that,  the  business  itself  has  special  refer- 
ence to  tobacco,  and,  in  fact,  to  nothing  else;   so  come 


niOAl  THE  FAP.  NORTH. 


401 


,   Kate,"   said 


—  but  I've  got 


along,  you  young  dog,"  and  the  old  gentleman'H  cheek 
went  into  violent  conviilsions  as  he  rose,  put  on  his  cap, 
with  the  peak  very  much  over  one  eye,  and  went  out  in 
company  with  the  young  men. 

An  hour  afterwards,  four  horses  stood   saddled  and 
bridled   in  front  of  the  house.     Three  belonged  to  Mr 
Kennedy ;  the  fourth  had  been  borrowed  from  a  neigh- 
bor as  a  mount  for  Jacques  Caradoc.     In  a  few  minutes 
more,  Harry  lifted  Kate  into  the  saddle,  and,  having 
arranged   her  dress  with  a  deal  of  unnecessary  care, 
mounted  his  nag.     At  the  same  moment,  Charley  and 
Jacques  vaulted  into  their  saddles,  and  the  whole  caval- 
cade  galloped  down  the  avenue  that  led  to  the  p-airie 
followed  by  the  admiring  gaze  of  Mr.  Kennedy,  senior' 
who  stood  in  the  doorway  of  his  mansion,  his  hands  in 
his  vest  pockets,  his  head  uncovered,  and  his  happy  vis- 
age smiling  through  a  cloud  of  smoke  that  issued  from 
his  lips.     lie  seemed  the  very  personification  of  jovial 
good-humor,  and  what  one  might  suppose  Cupid  would 
become,  were  he  permitted  to  grow  old,  dress  recklessly, 
and  take  to  smoking ! 

The  prairies  were  bright  that  morning,  and  surpass- 
mgly  beautiful.     The  grass  looked  greener  than  usual, 
the  dewdrops  more  brilliant  as  they  sparkled  on  leaf  and 
blade  and  branch  in  the  rays  of  an  unclouded  sun.     The 
turf  felt  springy,  and   the  horses,  which  were  firstrate 
animals,  seemed  to  dance  over  it,  scarce  crushin^r  the 
wildflowers  beneath  their  hoofs,  as  tliey  galloped  ifghtly 
on,  imbued  with  the  same  joyous  feeling  that  filled  the 
hearts  of  their  riders.     The  plains  at  this  place  were 
more  picturesque  than  in  other  parts,  their  uniformity 
being  broken  up  by  numerous  clumps  of  small  tre-s  and 
wild  shrubbery,  intermingled,  with  lakes  and  ponds    of 

26 


i  t  It 


m^'d 


t 


W'i 


402 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


all  sizes,  which  filled  the  hollows  for  miles  around, — 
temporary  sheets  of  water  these,  formed  by  the  melting 
snow,  that  told  of  winter  now  past  and  gone.  Additional 
animation  and  life  was  given  to  the  scene  by  flocks  of 
waterfowl,  whose  busy  cry  and  cackle  in  the  water,  or 
whirring  motion  in  the  air,  gave  such  an  idea  of  joyous- 
ness  in  the  brute  creation,  as  could  not  but  strike  a  chord 
of  sympathy  in  the  heart  of  man,  and  create  a  feeling  of 
gratitude  to  the  Maker  of  man  and  beast.  Although 
brilliant  and  warm,  the  sun,  at  least  during  the  first  part 
of  their  ride,  was  by  no  means  oppressive ;  so  that  the 
equestrians  stretched  out  at  full  gallop  for  many  miles 
over  the  prairie,  round  the  lakes  and  through  the  bushes, 
ere  their  steeds  showed  the  smallest  symptoms  of  warmth. 

During  the  ride,  Kate  took  the  lead,  with  Jacfiues  on 
her  left  and  Harry  on  her  right,  while  Charley  brought 
up  the  rear,  and  conversed  in  a  loud  key  with  all  three. 
At  length  Kate  began  to  think  it  was  just  possible  the 
horses  might  be  growing  wearied  with  the  slapping  pace, 
and  checked  her  steed ;  but  this  was  not  an  easy  matter, 
as  the  horse  seemed  to  hold  quite  a  contrary  opinion,  and 
showed  a  desire,  not  only  to  continue,  but  to  increase  its 
gallop,  —  a  propensity  that  induced  Harry  to  lend  his  aid 
by  grasping  the  rein,  and  conapelling  the  animal  to  walk. 

"  That's  a  spirited  horse,  Kate,"  said  Charley,  as  they 
ambled  along,  —  <'  have  you  had  him  long  ?  " 

"  No,"  replied  Kate  ;  "  our  father  purchased  him  just 
a  week  before  your  arrival,  thinking  that  you  would 
likely  want  a  charger  now  and  then.  I  have  only  been 
on  him  once  before.  Would  he  make  a  good  buffalo- 
runner,  Jacques  ?  " 

"  Yes,  Miss,  he  would  make  an  uncommon  good  run- 
ner," answered  the  hunter,  as  he  regarded  the  animal 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


408 


With  a  critical  glance,- "at  least,  if  he  don't  shy  at  a 
gunshot." 

« I  never  tried  his  nerves  in  that  way,"  said  Kate,  with 
a  smile  ;  «  perhaps  he  would  shy  at  that ;  he  has  a  good 
deal  of  spirit, -oh,  I  do  dislike  a  lazy  horse,  and  I  do 
delight  in  a  spirited  one  ! "  Kate  gave  her  horse  a  smart 
cut  with  the  whip,  half  involuntarily,  as  she  spoke.  In  a 
moment  it  reared  almost  perpendicularly,  and  then  bounded 
forward,— not,  however,  before  Jacques'  quick  eye  had 
observed  ihe  danger,  and  his  ever-ready  hand  arrested 
Its  course. 

"Have  a  care.  Miss  Kate,"  he  said,  in  a  warning  voice, 
while  he  gazed  in  the  face  of  the  excited  giri  with  a  look 
of  undisguised  admiration.  «  It  don't  do  to  wallop  a  skit- 
tish beast  like  that." 

« Never  fear,  Jacques,"  she  replied,  bending  forward 
to  pat  her  charger's  arching  neck,  — «  see,  he  is  becom- 
ing quite  gentle  again." 

"  If  he  runs  away,  Kate,  we  won't  be  able  to  catch  you 
again,  for  he's  the  best  of  the  four,  I  think,"  said  Harry, 
with  an  uneasy  glance  at  the  animal's  flashing  eye  and 
expanded  nostrils. 

"  Ay,  its  as  well  to  keep  the  whip  off  him,"  said  Jac- 
lues.  « I  know'd  a  young  chap  once  in  St.  Louis,  who 
lost  his  sweetheart  by  usin'  his  whip  too  freely." 

« Indeed,"  cried  Kate  with  a  merry  laugh,  as  they 
emerged  from  one  of  the  numerous  thickets  and  rode  out 
upon  the  open  plain  at  a  foot  pace,  «  how  was  that,  Jac- 
ques ?     Pray  tell  us  the  story." 

"  As  to  that,  there's  little  story  about  it,"  replied  the 
hunter.     «  You  see,  Tim  Roughead  took  a'rter  his  name, 

an  was  alwava  dnin'  gnmn  rpionKipf  ^~  ^^u —  „i,.«-i. 

u. — sc  .iii^^iiifCi.  \jv  uiiici,  Wiiii;u  mure 

than  once  nigh  cost  him  his  life  ,  for  the  young  trappers 


I  m  i 


404 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNliKAMS 


tliat  frequent  St.  LouU  are  not  fellows  to  stand  too  much 
jokin*,  I  can  tell  ye.  Well,  Tim  fell  in  love  with  a  gal 
there,  who  had  jilted  about  a  dozen  lad.s  afore  ;  and,  bein* 
an  uncommon  handsom',  strappin'  fellow,  she  encouniged 
him  a  good  deal.  But  Tim  had  a  suspicion  that  Louise 
was  rayther  sweet  on  a  young  storekeeper's  clerk  there  ; 
80,  bein'  an  ofT-hand  sort  o'  critter,  he  went  right  up  to 
the  gal,  and  says  to  her,  says  he,  '  Come,  Louise,  its  o'  no 
use  humbuggin'  with  me  any  longer.  If  you  like  me,  you 
like  me  ;  and  if  you  don't  like  me,  you  don't.  There's 
only  two  ways  about  it.  Now,  jist  say  the  word  at  once, 
an'  let's  have  an  end  on't.  If  you  agree,  I'll  squat  with 
you  in  whativer  bit  o'  the  States  you  like  to  name ;  if 
not,  I'll  bid  you  good-bye  this  blessed  mornin'  an'  make 
tracks  right  away  for  the  Rocky  Mountains  afore  sun- 
down.    Aye,  or  no,  lass  ;  which  is't  to  be  ? ' 

"  Poor  Louise  was  taken  all  aback  by  this,  but  she 
knew  well  that  Tim  was  a  man  who  never  threatened  in 
jest,  an'  moreover,  she  wasn't  quite  sure  o'  the  young 
clerk ;  so  she  agreed,  an'  Tim  went  off  to  settle  with  her 
father  about  the  weddin'.  Well,  the  day  came,  an'  Tim, 
with  a  lot  o'  his  comrades,  mounted  their  horses,  and  rode 
off  to  the  bride's  house,  which  was  a  mile  or  two  up  the 
river  out  of  the  town.  Just  as  they  were  startin',  Tim's 
horse  gave  a  plunge  that  wellnigh  pitched  him  over  its 
head,  an'  Tim  came  down  on  him  with  a  cut  o'  his  heavy 
whip  that  sounded  like  a  pistol-shot.  The  beast  was  so 
mad  at  this  that  it  gave  a  kind  o'  squeal  an'  another 
plunge  that  burst  the  girths.  Tim  brought  the  whip  down 
on  its  flank  again,  which  made  it  shoot  forward  like  an 
arrow  out  of  a  bow,  leavin'  poor  Tim  on  the  ground.  So 
slick  did  it  fly  away,  that  it  didn't  even  throw  him  on  his 
back,  but  let  him  fall  sittin'-wise,  saddle  and  all,  plump 


FROM  THE  KAR  NORTH. 


405 


on  he  »pot  whore  he  sprang  from.  Tin,  acrntched  his 
Lend  an  gnnned  like  „  half-worriod  ratllcsnake,  a,  his 
comrade,  „h„„,,t  rolled  oft'  their  saddles  with  tanghin". 
But  ,t  w«,  no  iaughin-  j„l,,  f„r  p„„,  Tim',,  leg  w„,  aol^ 
under  h,m,  an'  hroken  aero,,  „t  the  thigh.  It  was  long 
before  he  wa,  able  to  go  about  again,  tul  when  he  d  d 
recover,  he  found  that  Uui.,e  and  the  young  elerk  !v  e 
spliced  an' away  to  Kentucky." 

"So  you  see  what  are  the  probable  consequence,, 
Kate,  .f  you  use  your  whip  ,„  obstreperously  again," 
cned  Charley,  pressing  his  horse  into  a  canter 

Just  at  that  moment  a  rabbit  sprang  from  under  a 
bush  and  darted  away  before  them.     In  an  instant  Harry 
Somervdle   gave  a  wild  shout,  and  set  off  in  pursuit 
Whether  it  was  the  ery,  or  the  sudden  flight  of  Harrv's 
horse,  we  cannot  tell,  but  the  next  instant,  Kate's  ehar/er 
performed  an  indeseribable  flourish  with  its  hind  le», 
laid  back  Its  ears,  took  the  bit  between  its  teeth,  and  rln 
away      JacqUes  was  on  its  heels  instantly,  and,  a  few 
seconds  afterwards,  Charley  and  Harry  joined  in  thepu,. 
suit,  but  their  utmost  efforts  failed  to  do  more  than  enable 
them  to  keep  their  ground.    Kate's  horse  was  making  for 
a  dense  thicket,  into  which  it  became  evident  they  must 
certainly  plunge.    Harry  and  her  brother  trembled  when 
they  looked  at  it,  and  realized  her  danger;  even  Jacques' 
face  showed  some  symptoms  of  perturbation  for  a  mo- 
ment,  as  he  glanced  before  him  in  indecision.    The  ex- 
pression  vanished,  however,  in  a  few  seconds,  and  his 
cheerful,  self-possessed  look  returned,  as  he  cried  out  — 
"  Pull  the  left  rein  hard,  Miss  Kate;  try  to  ed»e  un 
the  slope."  o      r 

Kate  heard  the  advice,  and,  exerting  all  her  strength, 
s«ccce.,ed  in  turning  her  horse  a  little  to  the  left,  which 


'II! 


406 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


caused  him  to  ascend  a  gentle  slope,  at  the  top  of  which 
part  of  the  thicket  lay.  She  wss  closely  followed  by 
Harry  and  her  brotlier,  who  urged  their  steeds  madly 
forward  in  the  hope  of  catching  her  rein,  while  Jacques 
diverged  a  little  to  the  right.  By  this  manoeuvre,  the 
latter  hoped  to  gain  on  the  runaway,  as  the  ground  along 
which  he  rode  was  comparatively  level,  with  a  short  but 
steep  ascent  at  the  end  of  it,  while  that  along  which  Kate 
flew  like  the  wind  was  a  regular  ascent,  that  would  prove 
very  trying  to  her  horse.  At  the  margin  of  the  thicket 
grew  a  row  of  high  bushes,  towards  which  they  now  gal- 
loped with  frightful  speed.  As  Kate  came  up  to  this 
natural  fence,  she  observed  the  trapper  approaching  on 
the  other  side  of  it.  Springing  from  his  jaded  steed, 
without  attempting  to  check  its  pace,  he  leaped  over  the 
underwood  like  a  stag,  just  as  the  young  girl  cleared  the 
bushes  at  a  bound.  Grasping  the  reins,  and  checking 
the  horse  violently  with  one  hand,  he  extended  the  other 
to  Kate,  who  lea})cd  unhesitatingly  into  his  arms.  At 
the  same  instant,  Charley  cleared  the  bushes,  and  pulled 
sharply  up;  while  Harry's  horse,  unable,  owing  to  its 
speed,  to  take  the  leap,  came  crashing  through  them,  and 
dashed  his  rider  with  stunning  violence  to  the  ground. 

Fortunately  no  bones  were  broken,  and  a  draught  of 
clear  water,  brought  by  Jacques  from  a  neighboring  pond, 
speedily  restored  Harry's  shaken  faculties. 

"  Now,  Kate,"  said  Charley,  leading  forward  the  horse 
which  he  had  ridden,  "  I  have  changed  saddles,  as  you 
see  ;  this  horse  will  suit  you  better,  and  I'll  take  the 
shine  out  of  your  charger  on  the  way  home." 

«  Thank  you,  Charley,"  said  Kate,  with  a  smile,  "  I've 
quite  recovered  from  my  fright,  if,  indeed,  it  is  worth 
calling  by  that  name ;  but  I  fear  that  Harry  has " 


FROM  THE  FAU  NORTH. 


407 


"Oh!  I'm  all  right,'  cried  Ilariy,  advancing  as  he 
spoke  to  assist  Kate  in  mounting.  "J  am  ashamed  to 
thuik  that  my  wild  cry  was  the  cause  of  all  this  " 

In  another  minute  they  were  again  in  their  saddles, 
and,  turnmg  their  faces  homeward,  they  swept  over  the 
plain  at  a  steady  gallop,  fearing  lest  their  accident  should 
be  the  means  of  making  Mr.  Kennedy  wait  dinner  for 
them  On  arriving,  they  found  the  old  gentleman  en- 
gaged  m  an  animated  discussion  with  the  cook  about  lay- 
Hig  the  tablecloth,  which  duty  he  had  imposed  on  himself 
m  Kate's  absence.  ' 

"Ah  !  Kate,  my  love,"  he  cried,  as  they  entered,  "come 
here,  lass,  and  mount  guard.  I've  almost  broke  my  heart 
in  trymg  to  convince  that  thick-headed  goose  that  he  can't 
set  the  table  properly.  Take  it  oif  my  hands,  like  a  good 
girl.  Charley,  my  boy,  you'll  be  pleased  to  hear  that 
your  old  friend  Redfeather  is  here." 

II  Redfeather,  father  !  "  exclaimed  Charley,  in  surprise. 
''  Yes  ;  he  and  the  parson,  from  the  other  end  of  Lake 
Wmnipeg,  arrived  an  hour  ago  in  a  tin  kettle,  and  are 
now  on  their  way  to  the  upper  fort." 

"  That  is,  indeed,  pleasant  news  ;  but  I  suspect  that  it 
will  give  much  greater  pleasure  to  our  friend  Jacques 
who,  I  believe,  would  be  glad  to  lay  down  his  life  for 
him,  simply  to  prove  his  affection." 

"  Well,  well,"  said  the  old  gentleman,  knockincr  the 
ashes  out  of  his  pipe,  and  refilling  it  so  as  to  be  r^eady 
tor  an  after-dinner  smoke,  "  Redfeather  has  come,  and 
the  parson's  come,  too,  and  I  look  upon  it  as  quite  mi- 
raculous  that  they  have  come,  considering  the  thing  they 
came  in.    What  they've  come  for  is  more  than  I  can  tell 

"^'1 --  •'  "  ^-^""coicu  vvuii  v^nurcii  affairs.     Now 

then,  Kate,  what's  come  o'  the  dinner,  Kate .?     Stir  up 


408 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


that  grampus  of  a  cook !  I  half  expect  that  he  has  boiled 
the  cat  for  dinner,  in  his  wrath,  for  it  has  been  badger- 
ing him  and  me  the  whole  morning.  Hallo,  Harry,  what's 
wrong  ?  '* 

The  last  exclamation  was  in  consequence  of  an  expres- 
sion of  pain  which  crossed  Harry's  face  for  a  moment. 

"Nothing,  nothing,"  replied  Harry,  "I've  had  a  fall 
from  my  horse,  and  bruised  my  arm  a  little.  But  I'll  see 
to  it  after  dinner.'* 

"  That  you  shall  not,"  cried  Mr.  Kennedy,  energeti- 
cally, dragging  his  young  friend  into  his  bedroom.  "  Off 
with  your  coat,  lad.  Let's  see  it  at  once.  Ay,  ay,"  he 
continued,  examining  Harry's  left  arm,  which  was  very 
much  discolored,  and  swelled  from  the  elbow  to  the 
shoulder,  « that's  a  severe  thump,  my  boy.  But  it's  noth- 
ing to  speak  of;  only  you'll  have  to  submit  to  a  sling 
for  a  day  or  two." 

«  That's  annoying,  certainly,  but  I'm  thankful  it's  no 
worse,"  remarked  Harry,  as  Mr.  Kennedy  dressed  the 
arm  after  his  own  fashion,  and  then  returned  with  him  to 
the  dining-room. 


rs 

at  he  has  boiled 
s  been  badger- 
),  Harry,  what's 

;e  of  an  expres- 
r  a  moment. 
I've  had  a  fall 
le.    But  I'll  see 

nedy,  energeti- 
edroom.  "  Off 
■'  Ay,  ay,"  he 
hich  was  very 
elbow  to  the 
But  it's  noth- 
mit  to  a  sling 

ankful  it's  no 
ly  dressed  the 
id  with  him  to 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


409 


CHAPTER    XXX.      . 

LOTE  ;    OLD  MR.  KENNEDY  PUTS    HIS  FOOT  IN  IT. 

/^NE  morning,  about  two  weeks  after  Charley's  ar- 
Vy  rival  at  Red  River,  Harry  Somerville  found  him- 
self alone  in  Mr.  Kennedy's  parlor.     The  old  gentleman 
himself  had  just  galloped  away  in  the  direction  of  the 
lower  fort,  to  visit  Charley,  who  was  now  formally  in- 
stalled there.     Kate  was  busy  in  the  kitchen  giving  di- 
rections about  dinner,  and  Jacques  was  away  \^ith  Red- 
feather  visiting  his  numerous  friends  in  the  settlement ; 
so  that,  for  the  first  time  since  his  arrival,  Harry  found 
himself  at  the  hour  of  ten  in  the  morning  utterly  lone, 
and  with  nothing  very  definite  to  do.     Of  course,  the  two 
weeks  that  had  elapsed  were  not  without  their  signs  and 
symptoms,  their  minor  accidents  and  incidents,  in  regard 
to  the  subject  that  filled  his  thoughts.     Harry  had  fifty 
times  been  tossed  alternately  from  the  height  of  hope  to 
the  depth  of  despair,  from  the  extreme  of  felicity  to  the 
uttermost  verge  of  sorrow,  and  he  began  seriously  to 
reflect,   when   he   remembered   his  desperate  resolution 
on  the  first  night  of  his  arrival,  that  if  he  did  not  «  do," 
he  certainly  would  "  die."     This  was  quite  a  mistake, 
however,  on  Harry's  part.     Nobody  ever  did  die  of  un- 
requited  love.     Doubtless   many  people   have   hanged, 
drownea,  and  shot  themselves  because  of  it;  but,  gen- 
erally .-peaking,  if  the  patient  can  be  kept  frqm  maltreat- 


410 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


ing  himself  long  enough,  tine  will  prove  to  be  an  infalli- 
ble remedy.  O,  youthful  reader !  lay  this  to  heart ; 
but,  pshaw  I  why  do  I  waste  ink  on  so  hopeless  a  task  ? 
Every  one,  we  suppose,  resolves  once  in  a  way  to  die 
of  love ;  so  —  die  away,  my  young  friends  —  only,  make 
sure  that  you  don't  kill  yourselves,  and  I've  no  fear  of 
the  result. 

But  to  return.  Kate,  Kkewise,  was  similarly  affected. 
She  behaved  like  a  perfect  maniac  —  mentally,  that  is  — 
and  plunged  herself,  metaphorically,  into  such  a  succes- 
sion of  hot  and  cold  baths,  that  it  was  quite  a  marvel  how 
her  spiritual  constitution  could  stand  it. 

But  we  were  wrong  in  saying  that  Harry  was  ahne  in 
the  parlor.  The  gray  cat  was  there.  On  a  chair  before 
the  fire  it  sat,  looking  dishevelled  and  somewhat  blase,  in 
consequence  of  the  ill-treatment  and  worry  to  which  it 
was  continually  subjected.  After  looking  out  of  the  win- 
dow for  a  short  time,  Harry  rose,  and  sitting  down  on  a 
chair  beside  the  cat,  patted  its  head, —  a  mark  of  atten- 
tion it  was  evidently  not  averse  to,  but  which  it  received, 
nevertheless,  with  marked  suspicion,  and  some  indications' 
of  being  in  a  condition  of  armed  neutrality.  Just  then 
the  door  opened  and  Kate  entered. 

Excuse  me,  Harry,  for  leaving  you  alone,"  she  said, 
"  but  I  had  to  attend  to  several  household  matters.  Do 
you  feel  inclined  for  a  walk  ?  " 

"'  I  do,  indeed,"  replied  Harry ;  « it  is  a  charming  day, 
and  I  am  exceedingly  anxious  to  see  the  bower  that  you 
have  spoken  to  me  about  once  or  twice,  and  which  Char- 
ley told  me  of  long  before  I  came  here." 

"  Oh !  I  shall  take  you  to  it,  with  pleasure,"  replied 
Kate  ;  « my  dear  father  often  goes  there  with  me  to 
"=  .^""  "*"  "iiit  i"i"  Lvvo  mmutes,  iii  put  on  my 


FROM  THE  FAB  NORTH. 


411 


bonnet ;  "  and  she  hastened  to  prepare  herself  for  the  walk, 
leaving  Harry  to  caress  the  cat,  which  he  did  so  energet- 
ically, when  he  thought  of  its  young  mistress,  that  it  in- 
stantly declared  war  and  sprang  from  the  chair  with  a  re- 
monstrative  yell. 

On  their  way  down  to  the  bower,  which  was  situated 
in  a  picturesque,  retired  spot  on  the  river's  bank,  about 
a  mile  below  the  house,  Harry  and  Kate  tried  to  con- 
verse on  ordinary  topics,  but  without  success,  and  were  at 
last  almost  reduced  to  silence.  .  One  subject  alone  filled 
their  minds  — all  others  were  flat.  Being  sunk,  as  it 
were,  in  an  ocean  of  love,  they  no  sooner  opened  their 
lips  to  speak  than  the  waters' rushed  in,  as  a  natural  con- 
sequence, and  nearly  choked  them.  Had  they  but  opened 
their  mouths  wide  and  boldly,  they  would  have  been 
pleasantly  drowned  together ;  but  as  it  was,  they  lacked 
the  requisite  courage,  and  were  fain  to  content  them- 
selves with  an  occasional  frantic  struggle  to  the  surface, 
where  they  gasped  a  few  words  of  uninteresting  air,  and 
sank  again  instantly. 

On  arriving  at  the  bower,  however,  and  sitting  down, 
Harry  plucked  up  heart,  and,  heaving  a  deep  sigh,  said,  — 
"  Kate,  there  is  a  subject  about  which  I  have  long  de- 
sired to  speak  to  you *' 

Long  as  he  had  been  desiring  it,  however,  Kate  thought 

it  must  have  been  nothing  compared  with  the  time  that 

elapsed  ere  he  said  anything  else ;  so  she  bent  over  a 

flower,  which  she  held  in  her  hand,  and  said,  in  a  low 

'voice,  —  "  Indeed,  Harry  ;  what  is  it  ?  " 

Harry  was  desperate  now.  His  usually  flexible  tongue 
was  stiff  as  stone,  and  dry  as  a  bit  of  leather.  He  could 
no  more  give  utterance  to  an  intelligible  idea,  than  he 
could  change  himself  into  Mr.  Kennedy's  gray  cat,  ^*-  a 


%' 


u 


liai! 


412 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


change  that  he  would  not  have  been  unwilh'ng  to  make 
at  that  moment.  At  last  he  seized  his  companion's  hand, 
and  exclaimed,  with  a  burst  of  emotion  that  quite  startled 
her, — 

"  Kate  !  Kate !  O  dearest  Kate,  I  love  you  !  I  adore 
you !     I " 

At  this  point  poor  Harry's  powers  of  speech  again 
failed  ;  so,  being  "-.orly  uziabie  to  express  another  idea, 
he  suddenly  threo  .rms  round  her,  and  pressed  her 

fervently  to  his  bosom. 

Kate  was  taken  quite  aback  by  this  summary  method 
of  coming  to  the  point.  Repulsing  him  energetically,  she 
exclaimed,  while  she  blushed  crimson,  — 

"  Oh,  Harry,  —  Mr.  Somerville  ! " and  burst  into 

tears. 

Poor  Harry  stood  before  her  for  a  moment,  his  head 
hanging  down,  and  a  deep  blush  of  shame  on  his  face. 

^  "  Oh,  Kate,"  said  he,  in  a  deep,  tremulous  voice,  "  for- 
give me!  Do  — do  forgive  me!  I  knew  not  what  I 
said.  I  scarce  knew  what  I  did,"  (here  he  seized  her 
hand.)  "  I  know  but  one  thing,  Kate,  and  tell  it  you  I 
will,  if  it  should  cost  me  my  life.  I  love  you,  Kate,  to 
distraction,  and  I  wish  you  to  be  my  wife.  I  have  been 
rude  —  very  rude.     Can    ou  forgive  me,  Kate  ?  " 

Now,  this  latter  part  of  Harry's  speech  was  particu- 
larly comical,  the  comicality  of  it  lying  in  this  — 
that,  while  he  spoke,  he  drew  Kate  gradually  towards 
him,  and,  at  the  very  time  when  he  gave  utterance  to 
the  penitential  remorse  for  his  rudeness,  Kate  was  en- 
folded in  a  much  more  vigorous  embrace  than  at  first ; 
and,  what  is  more  remarkable  still,  she  laid  her  little  head 
quietly  on  his  shoulder,  as  if  she  had  quite  changed  her 
mmd  in  rficard  tn  wlmf  waa  anA  nrV>nf  T»ro<^   -.^a  — i^ j 

— o •• -TuD    ilii^.1     >TXiC«.l;     TTJXO      U\Jl      1  UU.C,    ciiUU 

rather  enjoyed  it  than  otherwise. 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


413 


ou !     I  adore 


nd  burst  into 


While  the  lovers  stood  in  this  interesting  position,  it 
became  apparent  to  Harry's  olfactory  nerves  that  the  at- 
'  mosphere  was  impregnated  with  tobacco  smoke.     Look- 
ing  hastily  up,  he  beheld  an  apparition  that  tended  some- 
what to  mcrease  the  confusion  of  his  faculties. 

In  the  opening  of  the  bower  stood  Mr.  Kennedy, 
senior,  in  a  state  of  inexpressible  amazement.  We  say 
inexpressible  advisedly,  because  the  extreme  pitch  of 
feeling  which  Mr.  Kennedy  experienced  at  what  he  be- 
held before  him,  cannot  possibly  be  expressed  by  human 
visage.  As  far  as  the  countenance  of  man  could  do  it 
however,  we  believe  the  old  gentleman's  came  pretty 
near  the  mark  on  this  occasion.  His  hands  were  in  his 
coat-pockets,  his  body  bent  a  little  forward,  his  head 
and  neck  outstretched  a  little  beyond  it,  his  eyes  almost 
starting  from  the  sockets,  and  certainly,  the  most  promi- 
nent feature  in  his  face ;  his  teeth  firmly  clenched  on  his 
beloved  pipe,  and  his  lips  expelling  a  multitude  of  little 
clouds  so  vigorously,  that  one  might  have  taken  him  for  a 
sort  of  self-acting  intelligent  steam-gun,  that  had  resolved 
utterly  to  annihilate  Kate  and  Harry  at  short  range  in 
the  course  of  two  minutes. 

When  Kate  saw  her  father,  she  uttered  a  slight  scream, 
covered  her  face  with  her  hands,  rushed  from  the  bower, 
and  disappeared  in  the  wood. 

"So,  young  gentleman,"  began  Mr.  Kennedy,  in  a 
slow,  deliberate  tone  of  voice,  while  he  removed  the  pipe 
from  his  mouth,  clenched  his  fist,  and  confronted  Harry, 
"you've  been  invited  to  my  house  as  a  guest,  sir,  and 
you  seize  the  opportunity  basely  to  insult  my  daughter ! " 
"Stay,  stay,  my  dear  sir,"  interrupted  Harry,° laying 
his  hand  on  the  old  man's  shoulder,  and  gazing  earnestly 
into  his  face,  -«  Oh !  do  not,  even  for  a  moment,  imagine 


(» 


1i  <l 


M  !■ 


ff  ^ 


UmnkA 


4U 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


that  I  could  bo  so  base  as  to  trifle  with  the  affections  of 
your  daughter.  I  may  liave  been  presumptuous,  hasty, 
foolish,  mad,  if  you  will,  but  not  base.  God  forbid  that 
I  should  treat  her  with  disrespect,  even  in  thought!  I 
love  her,  Mr.  Kennedy,  as  I  never  loved  before;  I  have 

asked  her  to  be  my  wife,  and  —  she " 

"  Whew ! "  whistled  old  Mr.  Kennedy,  replacing  his 
pipe  between  his  teeth,  gazing  abstractedly  at  the  ground, 
and  emitting  clouds  innumerable.  After  standing  thus  a 
few  seconds,  he  turned  his  back  slowly  upon  Harry,  and 
smiled  outrageously  once  or  twice,  winking  at  the  same 
time,  after  his  own  fashion,  at  the  river.  Turning  ab- 
ruptly round,  he  regarded  Harry  with  a  look  of  affected 
dignity,  and  said,  — "Pray,  sir,  what  did  my  daughter 
say  to  your  very  peculiar  proposal  ?  " 

"She  said  ye  — ah!  that  is— she  didn't  exactly  5«y 

anything,  but  she  —  indeed  I " 

«  Humph  ! "  ejaculated  the  old  gentleman,  deepening 
his  frown  as  he  regarded  his  young  friend  through  the 
smoke.     « In  short,  she  said  nothing,  I  suppose,  but  led  ' 
you  to  infer,  perhaps,  that  she  would  hare  said  Yes,  if  I 
hadn't  interrupted  you." 

Harry  blushed,  and  said  nothing. 
«  Now,  sir,"  continued  Mr.  Kennedy,  «  don't  you  think 
that  it  would  have  been  a  polite  piece  of  attention  on 
your  part  to  have  asked  wy  permission  before  you  ad- 
dressed my  daughter  on  such  a  subject  ?  eh  ?  " 

« Indeed,"  said  Harry,  « I  acknowledge  that  I  have 
been  hasty,  but  I  must  disclaim  the  charge  of  disrespect 
to  you,  sir;  I  had  no  intention  whatever  of  broaching 
the  subject  to-day,  but  my  feelings  unhappily  carried  me 

away,  and  —  and  —  in  fact " 

"Well,  well,  sir,"  interrupted  Mr.  Kennedy,  with  a 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


416 


look  of  oflfended  dignity,  "your  feelings  ought  to  be  kept 
more  m,der  control ,  but  come,  sir,  to  ray  house.  1  must 
talk  further  with  you  on  this  subject.  I  must  read  you  a 
lesson,  sir, -a  lesson,  humph  !  that  you  won't  forget  in  a 

"  But,  my  dear  sir »  began  Harry. 

"No  more,  sir- no  more  at  present,"  cried  the  old 
gentleman,  smoking  violently  as  he  pointed  to  the  foot- 
path^  that  led  to  the  house ;  "  lead  the  way,  sir,  I'll  f„I. 

The  footpath,  although  wide  enough  to  allow  Rata 
and  Harry  to  walk  beside  each  other,  did  not  permit  of 
two  gentlemen  doing  so,  conveniently, -a  circumstance 
which  proved  a  great  relief  to  Mr.  Kennedy,  inasmuch 
as  It  enabled  him,  while  walking  behind  his  companion; 
to  wmk  convulsively,  smoke  furiously,  and  punch  his  own 
nbs  severely,  by  way  of  opening  a  few  safety-valves  to 
h.s  glee,  wuhout  which  there  is  no  saying  what  might 
have  happened.     He  was  nearly  caught  in  these  eccen- 
tricties  more  than  once,  however,  as  Hany  turned  half 
round   w.th  the  intention  of  again  attempting  to  excul- 
pate himself, -attempts  which  were  as  often  me.  by  a 
sudden  start,  a  fierce  frown,  a  burst  of  smoke,  and  a  com- 
mand to  "go  on."    On  approaching  the  house,  the  track 
became  a  broad  road  ~  afibrding  Mr.  Kennedy  no  excuse 
for  walking  m  the  rear,  so  that  he  was  under  the  neces- 
sity of  laying  violent  restraint  on  his  feelings,- a  re- 
stramt  which,  it  was  evident,  could  not  last  long.    At 
that  moment,  to  his  great  relief,  his  eye  suddenly  fell  on 
the  gray  cat,  which  happened  to  be  reposing  innocently 
on  the  door-step.   "  ^ 

''Thafs  it !     There's  the  whole  cause  af  \t  at  lac.  t » 
ci-ied  Mr.  Kennedy,  in  a  perfect  paroxysm  of  excitement, 


416 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


flinging  his  pipe  violently  at  the  unoffending  victim,  as 
he  rushed  towards  it.  The  pipe  missed  the  cat,  but  went 
with  a  sharp  crash  through  the  parlor  window,  at  which 
Charley  was  seated,  while  his  father  darted  through  the 
doorway,  along  the  passage,  and  into  the  kitchen.  Here 
the  cat,  having  first  capsized  a  pyramid  of  pans  and  ket- 
tles in  its  consternation,  took  refuge  in  an  absolutely 
unassailable  position.  Seeing  this,  Mr.  Kennedy  vio- 
lently discharged  a  pailful  of  water  at  the  spot,  strode 
rapidly  to  his  own  apartment,  and  locked  himself  in. 

"  Dear  me,  Harry,  what's  wrong  ?  My  father  seems 
unusually  excited,"  said  Charley,  in  some  astonishment, 
as  Harry  entered  the  room  and  flung  himself  on  a  chair 
with  a  look  of  chagrin. 

« It's  difficult  to  say,  Charley ;  the  fact  is,  I've  asked 
your  sister  Kate  to  be  my  wife,  and  your  father  seems  to 
have  gone  mad  with  indignation." 

"  Asked  Kate  to  be  your  wife ! "  cried  Charley,  start- 
ing up,  and  regarding  his  friend  with  a  look  of  amaze- 
ment. 

«  Yes,  I  have,"  replied  Harry,  with  an  air  of  offended 
dignity ;  "  I  know  very  well  that  I  am  unworthy  of  her, 
but  I  see  no  reason  why  you  and  your  father  should  take 
such  pains  to  make  me  feel  it." 

"  Unworthy  of  her,  my  dear  fellow !  "  exclaimed  Char- 
ley, grasping  his  hand  and  wringing  it  violently;  ''no 
doubt  you  are,  and  so  is  everybody,  but  you  shall  have 
her  for  all  that,  my  boy.  But  tell  me,  Harry,  have  you 
spoken  to  Kate  herself  ?" 
*Yes,  Ihave." 

"  And  does  she  agree  ?  " 

«  Well,  I  think  I  may  say  she  does." 

"  Have  you  told  my  father  that  she  does  ?  " 


ling  victim,  as 
;  cat,  but  went 
idow,  at  which 
I  tiirough  the 
itchen.  Here 
pans  and  ket- 
an  absolutely 
Kennedy  vio- 
e  spot,  strode 
imself  in. 
father  seems 
astonishment, 
If  on  a  chair 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


417 


"  Why,  as  to  that,"  said  Harry,  with  a  perplexed  smile, 
«  he  didn't  need  to  be  told,  he  made  himself  pretty  well 
aware  of  the  facts  of  the  case." 

"Ah!  I'll  soon  settle  Mm;*  cried  Charley;  "keep  your 
mind  easy,  old  fellow,  I'll  very  soon  bring  him  round." 
With  this  assurance,  Charley  gave  his  friend's  hand  an- 
other  shake  that  nearly  wrenched  the  arm  from  his 
shoulder,  and  hastened  out  of  the  room  in  search  of  his 
refractory  father. 


is,  I've  asked 
ither  seems  to 


!)harley,  start- 
ok  of  amaze- 


ir  of  offended 
worthy  of  her, 
sr  should  take 

laimed  Char- 
olently ;  "  no 
ou  shall  have 
ry,  have  you 


I  >i 


418 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


■ 

111 

I 

^ 

1.       • 

i^hI 

I 

II 

ti  <        1 

CHAPTER   XXXr. 

THE  COURSE  OF  TRUE  LOVE,  CURIOUSLY  ENOUGH,  RUNS  SMOOTH 
FOR  ONCE  i  AND  THE  CURTAIN  FALLS. 

rpiME  rolled  on,  and  with  it  the  sunbeams  of  summer 
X  went,  — the  snowflakes  of  winter  came.  Needles 
ice  began  to  shoot  across  the  surface  of  Red  River,  and 
gradually  narrowed  its  bed.  Crystalline  trees  formed  upon 
the  window  panes.  Icicles  depended  from  the  eaves  of 
the  houses.  Snow  fell  in  abundance  on  the  plains ;  liquid 
nature  began  rapidly  to  solidify,  and,  not  many  weeks 
after  the  first  frost  made  its  appearance,  everything  was 
(as  the  settlers  expressed  it)  «  hard  and  fast." 

Mr.  Kennedy,  senior,  was  in  his  parlor,  with  his  back 
to  a  blazing  wood  fire  that  seemed  large  enough  to  roast 
an  ox  whole.     He  was  standing,  moreover,  in  a  semi- 
picturesque  attitude,  with  his  right  hand  in  his  breeches 
pocket  and  his  left  arm  round  Kate's  waist.     Kate  was 
dressed  in  a  gown  that  rivalled  the  snow  itself  in  white- 
ness.    One  little  gold  clasp  shone  in  her  bosom  ;  it  was 
the  only  ornament  she  wore.     Mr.  Kennedy,  too,  had 
somewhat  altered  his  style  of  costume.     He  wore  a  sky- 
blue  swallow-tailed  coat,  whose  maker  had  flourished  in 
London  half  a  century  before.     It  had  a  velvet  collar 
about  five  inches  ^eep  ;  fitted  uncommonly  tight  to  the 
figure,  and  had  a  pair  of  bright  brass  buttons,  very  close 
together,  situated  half  a  foot  above  the  wearer's  natural 
waist.     Besides  this,  he  had  on  a  canary-colored  vest, 


I 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


419 


IIUNS  SMOOTH 


and  n  pair  of  white  duck  trow.sers,  in  the  fob  of  which 
evidenth/  reposed  an  immensti  gold  watch  of  the  olden 
time,  with  a  bunch  of  seals  that  would  have  served  very 
well  as  an  anchor  for  a  small  boat.  Although  the  dress 
was,  on  the  whole,  slightly  comical,  its  owner  — with  his 
full,  fat,  broad  figure,  —  looked  remarkably  well  in  it 
nevertheless. 

It  was  Kate's  marriage-day,  or,  rather,  marriage  even- 
ing, for  the  sun  had  set  two  hours  ago,  and  the  moon 
was  now  sailing  in  the  frosty  sky,  its  pale  rays  causing 
the  whole  country  to  shine  with  a  clear,  cold,  silvery 
whiteness. 

The  old  gentleman  had  been  for  some  time  gazing  in 
silent  admiration  on  the  fair  brow  and  clustering  ringlets 
of  his  daughter,  when  it  suddenly  occurred  toliim  that 
the  company  would  arrive  in  half  an  hour,  and  there 
were  several  things  still  to  be  attended  to. 

"  Hallo,  Kate ! "  he  exclaimed  with  a  start,  «  we're  for- 
getting ourselves.  The  candles  are  yet  to  light,  and  lots 
of  other  things  to  do ; »  saying  this,  he  began  to  bustle 
about  the  room  in  a  state  of  considerable  agitation. 

"  Oh  !  don't  worry  yourself,  dear  father,"  cried  Kate, 
running  after  him  and  catching  him  by  the  hand.  "  Miss 
Cookumwell,  and  good  Mrs.  Taddipopple,  are  arranging 
everything  about  tea  and  supper  in  the  kitchen ;  °and 
Tom  Whyte  has  been  kindly  sent  to  us  by  Mr.  Grant, 
with  orders  to  make  himself  generally  useful,  so  he  can 
light  the  candles  in  a  few  minutes,  and  you've  nothing 
to  do  but  to  kiss  me  and  receive  the  company."  Kate 
pulled  her  father  gently  towards  the  fire  again,  and  re- 
placed his  arm  round  her  waist. 

"  Receive  company !  •  Ah  !  Kate,  my  love,  that's  just 
what  I  know  nothing  about.    If  they'd  let  me  receive 


420 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


them  m  my  own  way,  I'd  do  it  well  enough ;  but  that 
abominable  Mrs.  Taddi  -  what's  her  name,  has  quite 
addled  my  brains  and  driven  me  distracted  with  trying 
to  get  me  to  understand  what  she  calls  etiquetter 

Kate  laughed,  and  said  she  didn't  care  how  he  received 
them,  as  she  was  quite  sure  that,  wliichever  way  he  did 
it,  he  would  do  it  pleasantly  and  well. 

At  that  moment  the  door  opened,  and  Tom  Whyte 
entered.  He  was  thinner,  if  possible,  than  he  used  to  be, 
and  considerably  stiffer,  and  more  upright. 

"  Please,  sir,"  said  he,  with  a  motion  that  made  you 
expect  to  hear  his  back  creak,  (it  was  intended  for  a 
bow,)  —  "  please,  sir,  can  I  do  hanythink  for  yer .?  " 

"  Yes,  Tom,  you  can,"  replied  Mr.  Kennedy  ;  "  light 
these  candles,  my  man,  and  then  go  to  the  stable  Tnd 
see  that  everything  there  is  arranged  for  putting  up  the 
horses.  It  will  be  pretty  full  to-night,  Tom,  and  will 
require  some  management ;  then,  let  me  see  —  ah  !  yes, 
bring  me  my  pipe,  Tom,  my  big  meerschaum,  I'll  sport 
that  to-night  in  honor  of  you,  Kate." 
^  "  Please,  sir,"  began  Tom,  with  a  slightly  disconcerted 

air,  "  I'm  afeer'd,  sir,  that  —  um " 

"  Well,  Tom,  what  would  you  say  ?     Go  on." 
"  The  pipe,  sir,"  said  Tom,  growing  still  more  discon- 
certed ;  "  says  I  to  cook,  says  I,  *  Cook,  wots  been  an' 
done  it,  d'ye  think  ? '     '  Dun  know,  Tom,'  says  he,  '  but 

it's  smashed,  that's  sartin.     I  think  the  gray  cat ' " 

'I  What ! "  cried  the  old  trader,  in  a  voice  of  thunder, 
while  a  frown  of  the  most  portentous  ferocity  darkened 
his  brow  for  an  instant.  It  was  only  for  an  instant,  how- 
ever. Clearing  his  brow  quickly,  he  said  with  a  smile, 
'^  But  it's  your  wedding-day,  Kate,  my  darling.  It  won't 
do   to   blow  up   anybody   to-day,  — not   even   the   cat. 


FKOM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


421 


isconcerted 


There,  be  off,  Tom,  and  see  to  things.     Look  sharp  !     I 
hear  sleigh-bells  already." 

As  he  spoke,  Tom  vanished  perpendicularly ;  Kate 
hastened  to  her  room,  and  the  old  gentleman  himself 
went  to  the  front  door  to  receive  his  guests. 

The  night  was  of  that  intensely  calm  and  still  charac- 
ter that    invariably  accompanies    intense    frost,  so  that 
the  merry  jingle  of  the  sleigh-bells  that  struck  on  Mr. 
Kennedy's  listening  ear,  continued  to  sound,  and  grow 
louder  as  they   drew  near,  for  a  considerable  time  ere 
the  visitors  arrived.     Presently,  the  dull,  soft  tramp  of 
horses'  hoofs  was  heard  in  the  snow,  and  a  well-known 
voice  shouted  out  lustily,  «  Now,  then,  Mactavish,  keep 
to  the  left.     Doesn't  the  road  take  a  turn  there  ?     Mind 
the  gap  in  the  fence.     That's  old  Kennedy's  only  fault. 
He'd  rather  risk  breaking  his  friends'  necks,  than  mend 
his  fences  !  " 

"All  right,  here  we  are,"  cried  Mactavish,  as,  the 
next  instant,  two  sleighs  emerged  out  of  the  avenue  into 
the  moonlit  space  in  front  of  the  house,  and  dashed  up 
to  the  door  amid  an  immense  noise  and  clatter  of  bells, 
harness,  hoofs,  snorting,  and  salutations. 

"Ah!  Grant,  my  dear  fellow,"  cried  Mr.  Kennedy, 
springing  to  the  sleigh  and  seizing  his  friend  by  the  hand 
as  he  dragged  him  out.  "  This  is  kind  of  you  to  come 
early  —  and  Mrs.  Grant,  too  —  take  care,  my  dear  madam, 
step  clear  of  the  haps  —  now,  then  —  cleverly  done  "  (aJ 
Mrs.  Grant  tumbled  into  his  arms  in  a  confused  heap)  — 
"  come  along  now  — there's  a  capital  fire  in  here  — don't 

mind  the  horses,  Mactavish  —  follow  us,  my  lad  —  Tom 
Whyte  will  attend  to  them." 

Uttering  such    disioinfpd  r<>mnt.L-o    iit„    xr ,..i-  i   i 

Mrs.  Grant  into  the  house,  and  made  her  over  to  Mrs. 


ii 


*  I   I 


'# 


422 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


Taddipopple,  who  hurried  her  away  to  an  inner  apart- 
ment, while  Mr.  Kennedy  conducted  her  spouse,  along 
with  Mactavish  and  our  friend  the  head  clerk  at  Fort 
Garry,  into  the  parlor. 

"  Harry,  my  dear  fellow,  I  wish  you  joy,"  cried  Mr. 
Grant,  as  the  former  grasped  his  hand.  «  Lucky  dog  you 
are.  Where's  Kate  ?  eh  !  Not  visible  yet,  I  suppose." 
"  No,  not  till  the  parson  comes,"  interrupted  Mr.  Ken- 
nedy, convulsing  his  left  cheek.  «  Hallo,  Charley,  where 
are  you.?  Ah!  bring  the  cigars,  Charley.  Sit  down, 
gentlemen;  make  yourselves  at  home.  I  say,  Mrs. 
Taddi  —  Taddi  —  oh  !  botheration  --  popple !  —  that's  it 
—  your  name,  madam,  is  a  puzzler  —  but  —  we'll  need 
more  chairs,  I  think.     Fetch  one  or  two,  like  a  dear !  " 

As  he  spoke,  the  jingle  of  bells  was  heard  outside,  and 
Mr.  Kennedy  rushed  to  the  door  again. 

"  Good  evening,  Mr.  Addison,"  said  he,  taking  that 
gentleman  warmly  by  the  hand  as  he  resigned  the  reins 
to  Tom  Whyte.  « I  am  delighted  to  see  you,  sir  —  look 
after  the  minister's  mai-e,  Tom  — glad  to  see  you,  my 
dear  sir  —  some  of  my  friends  have  come  already  —  this 
way,  Mr.  Addison." 

The  worthy  clergyman  responded  to  Mr.  Kennedy's 
greeting  in  his  own  hearty  manner,  and  followed  him 
into  the  parlor,  where  the  guests  now  began  to  assemble 
rapidly. 

«  Father,"  cried  Charley,  catching  his  sire  by  the  arm, 
*'  I've  been  looking  for  you  everywhere,  but  you  dance 
about  like  a  will-o'-the-wisp.  Do  you  know  I've  invited 
my  friends  Jacques  and  Redfeather  to  come  to-night,  and 
also  Louis  Peltier,  the  guide,  with  whom  I  made  my' first 
trip.     You  recollf^ct  him,  father  ?  " 


(( 


Ay,  that  do  T,  lad,  and  ha 


11 


7  shal 


1   T  U-,   i_ 


uc  IV  see 


three 


FROM  THE  FAE  NORTH. 


423 


st^h  worthy  men   under  my  roof,  as   guest,  on  this 

"  Yes  yes,  I  know  that,  father,  but  I  don't  see  them 
Here.     Have  they  corae  yet  ?  " 

"Can't  say  boy.  By  the  way,  Pastor  Conway  is  also 
commg  so  well  hare  a  meeting  between  an  Episcopalian 
pnd  a  Wesleyan.  I  sincerely  trust  that  they  won't  fi<.ht  I " 
As  he  said  this,  the  old  gentleman  grinned  and  threw  his 
cheek  mto  convulsions  _  an  expression  which  was  sud- 

that  Mr.  Addison  was  standing  close  beside  him,  and  had 
heard  the  remark. 

"  Don't  blush,  my  dear  sir,"  said  Mr.  Addison,  with  a 
quiet  smile,   as  he   patted   his   friend  on  the  shoulder. 

You  have  too  much  reason,  I  am  sorty  to  say,  for  ex- 

pec  mg  that  clergymen  of  different  denominations  should 

ook  coldly  on  each  other.      There  is  far  too  much  of 

th.s  mdifference  and  distrust  among  those  who  labor  in 

w,ll  find  that  my  sympathies  extend  a  little  beyond  the 
circle  of  my  own  particular  body.     Irideed,  Mr.  Con- 

way  IS  a  particular  friend  of  mine ;  so  I  assure  you  we 
won't  fight."  '' 

"  Eight,  right,"  cried  .Mr.  Kennedy,  giving  the  clergy, 
man  an  energetic  grasp  of  the  hand;  "  I  hke  to  hear  you 
speak  that  way.  I  must  confess  .let  1  have  been  a  good 
deal  surprised  to  observe,  by  what  one  reads  in  the  old 
country  newspapers,  as  well  as  by  what  one  sees  even 
hereaway  in  the  backwood  settlements,  how  little  interest 
clergymen  show  in  the  doings  of  those  who  don't  happen 
to  belong  to  their  own  particular  sect,  just  as  if  a  soul 
saved  through  the  means  of  an  Episcopalian  was  not  nf 
as  much  value  as  one  saved  by  a  Wesleyan,  or  a  Presby. 


424 


H  *-J  • 


f    I 


1  f}T'l     5 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


terian,  or  a  Dissenter;  wlij,  sir,  it  seems  to  me  just  as 
mean-spirited  and  selfi.u,  as  if  one  of  our  chief  factors 
was  so  entirely  taken  up  with  the  doings  and  success  of 
his  own  particular  district,  that  he  didn't  care  a  gunflint 
for  any  other  district  in  the  Company's  service." 

There  was  at  least  one  man  listening  to  these  remarks, 
whose  naturally  logical  and  liberal  mind  fully  agreed  with 
them.  Tliis  was  Jacques  Caradoc,  who  had  entered  the 
room  a  few  minutes  before,  in  company  with  his  friend 
Redfeather  and  Louis  Peltier. 

"Right,  sir !  That's  fact,  straight  up  and  down,"  said 
he,  in  an  approving  tone. 

"  Ha  !  Jacques,  my  good  fellow,  is  that  you  ?  Red- 
feather,  my  friend,  how  are  you?"  said  Mr.  Kennedy, 
turning  round  and  grasping  a  hand  of  each.  «  Sit  down 
there,  Louis,  beside  Mrs.  Taddi  —  eh  ?  —  ah !  —  popple. 
Mr.  Addison,  this  is  Jacques  Caradoc,  the  best  and  stout- 
est hunter  between  Hudson's  Bay  and  Oreo-on." 

Jacques  smiled  and  bowed  modestly,  as  Mr.  Addison 
shook  his  hand.     The  worthy  hunter  did  indeed,  at  that 
moment,  look  as   if    he  fully  merited    Mr.  Kennedy's 
eulogium.     Instead  of  endeavoring  to  ape  the  gentleman, 
as  many  men  in  his  rank  of  life  would  have  been  likely 
to  do  on  an  occasion  like  this,  Jacques  had  not  altered  his 
costume  a  hair's  breadth  from  what  it  usually  was,  except- 
ing that  some  parts  of  it  were  quite  new,  and  all  of  it 
faultlessly  clean.     He  wore  the  usual  capote,  but  it  was 
his  best  one,  and  had  been  washed  for  the  occasion.   The 
scarlet  belt  and  blue  leggins  were  also  as  bright  in  color 
as  if  they  had  been  put  on  for  the  first  time,  and  the 
moccasons,  which  fitted  closely  to  his  well-formed  feet, 
were  of  the  cleanest  and  brightest  yellow  leather,  orna- 
mented, as  usual,  in  front.     The  -ollar  of  his  blue  striped 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


425 


shirt  was  folded  back  a  little  more  carefully  than  usual, 
exposing  Ins  sunburnt  and  muscular  throat ;  in  fact  he 
wanted  nothing,  save  the  hunting  knife,  the  rifle,  and 'the 
powder-horn,  to  constitute  him  a  perfect  specimen  o  a 
thorough  backwoodsman. 

Redfeather  and  Uuis  were  similarly  costumed,  and 
a  noble  tno  they  looked,  as  they  sat  modestly  in  a 
corner  talkmg  to  each  other  in  whispers,  and  endeavoi! 
ing,  as  much  as  possible,  to  curtail  their  colossal  pro- 
portions.  ^ 

"  Now  Harry,"  said  Mr.  Kennedy,  in  a  hoarse  whis- 
per at  the  same  time  winking  veliemently,  «  we're  about 
rea<^,  lad.     Where's   Kate.'    eh?    shall'  we   send  for 

Harry  blushed,  and  stammered  out  something  that  was 
wholly  unintelligible,  but  which,  nevertheless,  seemed  to 
afford  mfinite  delight  to  the  old  gentleman,  who  chuckled 
and  winked  tremendously,  gave  his  son-in-law  a  face- 
tious poke  in  the  ribs,  and  turning  abruptly  to  Mi.s 
Cookumwell,  said  to  that  lady,- "Now,  Miss  Cookum- 
popple  we're  all  ready.    They  seem  to  havehad  enough 

tUnk"     "''^^''   ^""""^  *"""'  ^  ''~'''"=  "'■'*'■   ^'"'^ 

Miss  Cookumwell  smiled,  rose,  and  left  the  room  to  ' 
obey ;  Mrs.  Taddipopple  followed  to  help,  and  soon  r# 
turned  with  Kate,  whom  they  delivered  up  to  her  father 
at  the  door.    Mr.  Kennedy  led  her  to  the  upper  end  of 
the  room -Harry  Somerville  stood  by  her  side,  as  if 
by  magic -Mr.  Addison  dropped   opportunely  before 
them,  as  if  from  the  clouds ;  there  was  an  extraordinary 
and  abrupt  pause  in  the  hum  of  conversation,  and,  ere 
Kate  was  well  aware  of  what  was  about  to  hannen  «h» 
teit  herself  suddenly  embraced  by  her  busb^d,  from 


J I 


426 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


whom  she  was  thereafter  violently  torn,  and  all  but 
smothered  by  her  sympathizing  friends. 
^  Poor  Kate !  she  had  gone  through  the  ceremony  almost 
mechanically—- recHm^j/,  we  might  be  justified  in  say- 
ing ;  for  not  having  raised  her  eyes  off'  the  floor,  from  its 
commencement  to  its  close,  the  man  whom  she  accepted 
for  better  or  for  worse  might  have  been  Jacques  or  Red- 
feather,  for  all  that  she  knew. 

Immediately  after  this,  there  was  heard  the  sound  of  a 
fiddle,  and  an  old  Canadian  was  led  to  the  upper  end  of  the 
room,  placed  on  a  chair,  and  hoisted,  by  the  powerful  arms  • 
of  Jacques  and  Louis,  upon  a  table.    In  this  conspicuous 
position  the  old  man  seemed  to  be  quite  at  his  ease.     He 
spent  a  few  minutes  in  bringing  his  instrument  into  per- 
fect tune ;  then,  looking  round  with  a  mild  patronizing 
glance  to  see  that  the  dancers  were  ready,  he  suddenly 
struck  up  a  Scotch  reel  with  an  amount  of  energy,  preci- 
sion, and  spirit  that  might  have  shot  a  pang  of  jealousy 
through  the  heart  of  Neil  Gow  himself.     The  noise  that 
instantly  commenced,  and  was  kept  up  from  that  moment, 
with  but  few  intervals,  during  the  whole  evening,  was  of 
a  kind  that  is  never  heard  in  fashionable  drawing-rooms. 
Dancing,  in  the  backwood  settlements,  is  dancing.     It  is 
not  walking ;  it  is  not  sailing  ;   it  is  not  undulating  ;  it  is 
not  sliding  ;  no,  it  is  bond  Jide  dancing !  It  is  the  perform- 
ance of  intricate  evolutions  with  the  feet  and  legs  that 
makes  one  wink  to  look  at.    Performed  in  good  time  too, 
and  by  people  who  look  upon  all  their  muscles  as  being 
useful  machines,  not  merely  things  of  which  a- select  ^ftw, 
that  cannot   be  dispensed  with,  are  brought  into  daily 
operation.      Consequently  the  thing  was  done  with  an 
amount  of  vigor  that  was  conducive  to  the  health  of  per- 
formers, and  productive   of  satisfaction  to  the  eyes  of 


fS 

))  and  all  but 

sremony  almost 
stifled  in  say- 
!  floor,  from  its 
n  she  accepted 
icques  or  lled- 

the  sound  of  a 
pper  end  of  the 
powerful  arms 
lis  conspicuous 
his  ease.  He 
fient  into  per- 
Id  patronizing 
',  he  suddenly 
energy,  preci- 
g  of  jealousy 
rhe  noise  that 

that  moment, 
'ening,  was  of 
rawinj^-rooms. 
incing.     It  is 
lulating ;  it  is 
s  the  perform- 
and  legs  that 
^ood  time  too, 
cles  as  being 
I  a* select  few, 
;ht  into  daily 
ione  with  an 
lealth  of  per- 

the  eyes  of 


FROM  THE  FAR  NORTH. 


427 


beho  ders.     When  the  evening  wore  on  apace,  however 
and  Jacques'  modesty  was  so  far  overcome  as  toTnduee 
h.m  to  engage  in  a  reel,  along  with  his   friend    T 
Peltier  and  two  bouncing  youn/ladies,  wLs^'  r^^  ^ad 
driven   them  twenty  miles  over  the  plains  tha  7 
order  to  attend  the  wedding  of  their' ZwenSnd 
former  playmate,  Kate, -when  these  four  stood  un 
say  and  the  fiddler  played  more  energeticlli?than  'j  "' 
and  the  stout  backwoodsmen  began  fo  ZZ  and  T"' 
-gor..,  until,  in  the  midst  of  thel  tremendous Te'fZ 
rapid  but  w.ll-timed  motions,  they  looked  hke  ve^lms 
am.d  their  brethren,  then  it  was  that  Harry  as  hff' 
Kate  s  little  hand   pressing  his  arm,  ,md  obse  v 5  W 
park  mg  eyes  gazing  at  the  dancers  in  genuine  TdlirJ 
tion,  began  at  last  flrmly  to  believe  that  the  whole  thint 
was  a  dream ;  and  then  it  was  that  old  Mr  T      / 
rejoiced  to  think  that  the  house  had  been  bul^*  ut""f.^ 
own  special  directions,  and  he  knew  that  i  :    mIT  bv^ 
any  possibility,  be  shaken  to  pieces  '  ^^ 

And  well  might  Harry  imagine    that    he    dreamed  • 
for,  besides  the  bewildering  tendency  of  the  almosM     ' 
good-to-be-true  fact  that  Kate  was   realirM^T 
Wrville,  the  scene  before  him  was  a  /ar^lr^Zl 

;;Hose   lives  from   boyhood  hadleln'^ntl      Tng^ 
sol  tude,  wild  scenes  and  adventures,  to  which  thosfn; 
Robmson   Crusoe    are  mere  child's-;iay.      tL  ^er, 
young  girls,  the  daughters  of  these  men,  who   had   /e 
ceived  good  educations  in  the  Red  River  ^cldemv  n  , 
certain  de-re^  of  p^jioh  v  ^^^     i  academy,  and  a 

,."  i-!x,.n  vfticu  education  always  s-ivp« 

a  very  deferent  polish,  indeed,  from  that  whiltfe  co";i^ 


428 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


1     1 


ventionalities  and  refinements  of  the  old  world  bestow, 
but   not  the  less  agreeable  on    that  account  —  nay,  we 
might  even  venture  to  say,  all  the  tnore  agreeable  on 
that  account.     There  were  Red  Indians  and  clergymen  ; 
there  were  one  or  two  ladies,  of  a  doubtful  age,  who  had 
come  out  from  the  old  country  to  live  there,  having  found 
it  no  easy  matter,  poor  things,  to  live  at  home ;  there 
were  matrons,  whose  absolute  silence  on  every  subject 
save  "  yes  "  or  "  no,"  showed  that  they  had  not  been  sub- 
jected   to    the  refining  influence3   of    the  academy,  but 
whose  hearty  smiles,  and  laughs  of  genuine  good-nature 
proved  that  the  storing  of  the  brain  has,  after  all,  very 
little  to  do  with  the  best   and  deepest  feelings  of   the 
heart.     There  were  the  tones  of  Scotch  reels  sounding, 
—  tones  that  brought  Scotland  vividly  before  the  very 
eyes ;  and  there  were  Canadian  hunters  and  half-breed 
voyageurs,  whose  moccasons  were  more  accustomed  to  the 
tuxf  of  the  woods  than  the  boards  of  a  drawing-room, 
and   whose   speech    and  accents  made  Scotland   vanish 
away  altogether  from   the   memory.      There  were   old 
people  and  young  folk ;  there  were  fat  and  lean,  short 
and  long.     There  were  songs  too ;  ballads  of  England, 
pathetic  songs  of  Scotland,  alternating  with  the  French 
ditties  of  Canada,  and  the  sweet,  inexpressibly  plaintive 
canoe-songs  of   the  voyageur.     There  were  strong  con- 
trasts in  dress  also —  some  wore  the  homespun  trous- 
ers of  the  settlement,  a  few  the  ornamented  leggins  of 
the  hunter.     Capotes  were   there  —  loose,  flowing,  and 
picturesque ;  and  broadcloth  tail-coats  were  there,  of  the 
last  century,  tight-fitting,  angular,  in  a  word,  detestable ; 
verifying  the  truth  of  the  proverb  that  extremes  meet  — 
by  showing  that  the  cut,  which  all  the  wisdom  of  tailors   ^ 
and   scientific  fops,  after  centuries  of  study,  had  labori- 


FKOM  THE  FAB  NORTH.  425 

ously  wrofght  out  and  foisted  upon  the  poor  civilised 
world  as  perfectly  subline,  appeared,  in  the  eyes  of  back- 
woodsmen and  Indians,  utterly  ridiculous.  No  wonder 
that  Harry,  under  the  circumstances,  became  quietly  in- 
sane, and  went  about  committing  nothing  but  mistakes 
the  whole  evening.  No  wonder  that  he  emulated  hi, 
father-m-law  in  abusing  the  gray  cat,  when  he  found 
f«rrept..,ousIy  devouring  part  of  the  supper  in  Tad 
jommg  room;   and   no   wonder  that,  when    he   rushed 

her  w  th  the  eats  wickedness,  be  at  last,  in  desperation 
a.d  violent  hands  on  Miss  Cookumwel I  and  addresri 
that  excellent  lady  by  the  name  of  Mrs.  Poppletaddy    ' 
Were  we  courageous  enough  to  make  the  attempt  w« 
would  endeavor  to  describe  that  joyful   evenin? Lm 
beg,nn,ng  to  end.    We  would  tell  you  low  the  compa  y" 
spmts  rose  hrgher  and  higher,  as  each  individual  became 
".ore  and  more  anxious  to  lend  his  or  her  aid  in  2Zl 
to  the  gene..!  hilarity;  how  old  Mr.  Kennedy  .Zil 
killed  h,mself  in  his  fruitless  efforts  to  be  eveLhee 
spea     to  everybody,  and  do  everything  at  onee;  ho: 

take?H„r"      "i^'^r""  ""^"^'^  ^P-'''  «""  «"- 

n  teado    „  '  '''■"^  "'''"'■'  ^""^  ''°- ">«  a^dler 

nslead  of  growmg  wearied,  became  gradually  and  con- 

^nuous  y  more  powerful,  until  it  seemed  as  if  fifty  fldls 
were  playmg  at  one  and  the  same  time.     We  would  tel 
you  how  Mr.  Addison  drew  more  than  ever  to  Mr  C  „ 
way  and  how  the  latter  gentleman  agreed  to  eo^^^spond 
egularly  w,th  the  former  thenceforth,  in  orfer  that  Lir 

Master  might  be  mcreased  and  kept  up ;  how,  in  a  spirit 

■•".kle,ssness  (afterwards  deeply  repented  of,)  a  ba'h- 

ung  man  was  induced  to  sing  a  song,  which,  in  the 


ful 


■i    ; 


<     ■      :li 


i 

^  ;     i' 

^^i 

i  . 

:i 

I 


430 


SNOWFLAKES  AND  SUNBEAMS 


present  mirthful  state  of  the  company,  ought  to  have 
been  a  humorous  song,  or  a  patriotic  song,  or  a  good, 
loud,  inspiriting  song,  or  anything^  in  short,  but  what  it 
was  —  a  slow,  dull,  sentimental  song,  about  wasting  grad- 
ually away  in  a  sort  of  melancholy  decay,  on  account  of 
disappointed  love,  or  some  such  trash,  which  was  a  false 
sentiment  in  itself,   and   certainly  did   not   derive   any 
additional  tinge  of  truthfulness  from  a  thin,  weaii  voice, 
that  was  afflicted  with  chronic  flatness,  and  edged  all  its 
notes.     Were  we  courageous  enough  to  go  on,  we  would 
further  relate  to  you  how,  during  supper,  Mr.  Kennedy, 
senior,  tried  to  make  a  speech,  and  broke   down  amid 
uproarious  applause  ;  how  Mr.  Kennedy,  junior,  got  up 
thereafter,  —  being  urged  thereto  by  his  father,  who  said, 
with   a   convulsion  of  the  cheek,  "  Get  me  cut  of  the 
scrape,  Charley,  my  boy,"  — and  delivered  an   oration, 
which  did  not  display  much  power  of  concise  elucidation, 
but  was  replete,  nevertheless,  with  consummate  impu- 
dence;  how,  during  this  point  in  the   proceedings,  the 
gray  cat  made  a  last  desperate  eflPort  to  purloin  a  cold 
chicken,  which  it  had  watched  anxiously  the  whole  even- 
ing, and  was  caught  in  the  very  act,  nearly  strangled, 
and  flung  out  of  the  window,  where  it  alighted  in  satety 
on  the  snow  and  fled  —  a  wiser,  and,  wc  trust,  a  better 
cat.     We  would  recount  all  this  to  you,  reader,  and  a 
great  deal  more  besides;  but  we  fear  to  try  your  pa- 
tience, and  we  tremble  violently,  much  more  so,  indeed, 
than  you  will  believe,  at  tlie  bare  idea  of  waxing  prosy. 
Suffice  it  to  say,  that  the  party  separated  at  an  early 
hour  —  a  good,  sober,  reasonable  hour  for  such  an  occa- 
sion—  somewhere  before  midnight.      The  horses  were 
harnessed,  the  ladies  were  packed  in  the  sleighs  with  furs 
ao  viiitK.  auvi  jjt.\:iiniui  US  10  uuiy  iiiu  uoiu;  me  gentlemen 


'VI 'T'    ' 

H.  1 


FROM,  THE  FAB  NOBTH.  ^gj 

seized  their  reins,  and  cracked  their  whiDfl_fl„  ^ 
snorted,  plunged,  and  dashed  awa/over  the^.dt    ?"" 
■n  different  direetion.,  while  the  merrT  llh  be  I,  '     / 
0^  ftinter  and  Shinier  in  the  r^ty  air     Tnh^l    , 
the  stars  twinlcled  down  on  the  !    ,    iu  f  ""  '"""; 

Sir  "^'"  °"  '"^ "- «-'  «;:rtii^ 


of  ,1  ""'^'"/'""''^^•"y  «»  portray  t;,e  prominent  features 
of  those  ,v,!d  regions  that  lie  to  the  north  of  the  r 
as  and  i„  which  we  have  endeavored  to  del  'he  Z 
of  the  pecuhanties  of  a  class  of  men  whose  histor  c  si 
dom  meet  the  public  eye,  wc  feel  tempted  to  add  „  T 
more  touches  to  the  sketch;  we  would  fain  trale  .liSl 
uui  000k.     liut  this  must  not  be. 

Snowflakes  and  sunbeams  came  a«d  went  as  in  days 
gone  by.  !,„«  rolled  on,  working  many  chan-es  in  11 
course,  and  among  others,  consigning  Harry  sCen-i  L 

awe  joy  of  Mr   Kennedy,  senior,  and  of  Kate.    After 

much  eons,dera.,„n  and  frequent  oonsultatio.  wi.!.  Mr 

Addison,  Mr  Conway  .esolved  to  make  a,,ilir=£r^; 

0  preach   the  gospel  of  Jesus  Christ  to  th,se  Man 

ZtZZn  T?'  """=""""•  ■""  'o  ""<'«'-'ake  th,. 

tot  w^K  ,      '"""'"'""  °"  ^""*-^'"'«^-    J^-^q'-es agree! 
0  go  w,th  h,™  as  guide  and  hunter- Redfeather  as  in^ 
terpreter.     It  was  a  bright,  cold  morning  when  he  se'  olt 
aecompanied  part  of  the  way  hv  Ch»r°-  ^--  ,' 

Har„«o.^,,je,.hos.h4ts,er;5-';^r 


»  >  > «     I  'i    .  , 


,     •    »  1  1  1 

'si     s    r    )  , 


5     » 


I  I  • 

>  I  I 

>  >  I 
•  I  • 

•  •    •  I  I  • 


I 

f  • 
I 
•  i  » 


-J. 

4 
i 


i 


Ill- 


ii 

:    I 


! 
• 

- 

■  I 

48S 


SNOWFLAKE'3  AND  SUNBEAMS. 


pect  of  parting  with  the  two  men  who  had  guided  and 
protected  them  during  their  earliest  experience  of  a  voi/- 
ageur's  life  —  when,  with  hearts  full  to  overflowing  with 
romantic  anticipations,  they  first  dashed  joyously  into  the 
almost  untrodden  wilderness. 

During  their  career  in  the  woods  together,  the  young 
men  and  the  two,,hunters  had  become  warmly  attached  to 

each  other;  and,  now  that  tiiey  were  about  to  part it 

might  be  for  years,  perhai)s  forever  — a  feeling  of  sad- 
ness crept  over  them,  which  they  could  not  shake  off,  and 
which  the  promise  given  by  Mr.  Conway  to  revisit  Red 
River  on  the  following  spring,  served  but  slightly  to  dis- 
pel. 

On  arriving  at  the  spot  where  they  intended  to  bid 
their  friends  a  last  farewell,  the  two  young  men  held  out 
their  hands  in  silence.     Jacques  grasped  them  warmly. 

«  Mister  Charles,  Mister  Harry,"  said  he,  in  a  deep, 
earnest  voice,  "  the  Almighty  has  guided  us  in  safety  for 
many  a  day  when  we  travelled  the  woods  together  — for 
which  praised  be  His  holy  name !  May  He  guide  and 
Wess  you  still,  and  bring  us  together  in  this  world  again, 
if  in  His  wisdom  He  see  fit." 

Hhmve:  ijvps  \\q  ar>swer,  save  a  deeply  murmured 
•"  Amen.-'  .  Xn-  aiidtber,  moment,  flip;  fmvellers  resumed 
itheir  march.  On  reaching  the  summit  of  a  slight  emi- 
nence, whei^  the  prail'>6&  *ennirtat^d  and  the  woods 
began,  they  paused  to  wave  'a  lai^tT  fedieiir  j  then  Jacques, 
putting  himself  at  the  head  of  the  little  party,  plunged 
into  the  forest,  and  led  them  away  towards  the  snowy 
regions  of  the  Far  North. 

THE    END. 


t      0 


9 

C   C   & 


E    1 


<   C    I    c      «  . 


6C3t  11  e  ty 


[S. 

ad  guided  and 
ieiice  of  a  voy- 
•erflowiiij;  with 
yously  into  the 

ler,  th(i  young 
nly  attacliL'd  to 
It  to  part  —  it 
feeling  of  sad- 
shake  off,  and 
to  revisit  Red 
slightly  to  dis- 
tended to  bid 
:  men  held  out 
em  warmly, 
he,  in  a  deep, 
s  in  safety  for 
;ogether  —  for 
lie  guide  and 
3  world  again. 


ly  murmured 
Hers  resumed 
a  slight  erai- 
i  the  woods 
hen  Jacques, 
arty,  plunged 
Is  the  snowy 


I  > 


